Montoya, Xianna
Montoya, Xianna
Share
Xianna Montoya
End of Then, Beginning of Now
16 x20
Acrylic Paint
NFS
Bio: Xianna Montoya’s art explores family dynamics and legacy as seen through forgotten photographs. Montoya’s paintings are made with acrylic to recreate the photorealistic qualities of the photographs. She currently resides in Mesa, Arizona where she is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Painting and Drawing. Her work has won awards and has been exhibited by institutions, such as Arizona State University, Oakland Art’s Review, and Artists of Promise. Montoya is currently working on a ceramic series that highlights the balance of inner violence and gentle actions. She is also working on a water based series on mental “monsters” and its effect on relationships and affection.
Artist Statement: "End of Then, Beginning of Now" is a painting of my grandmother photographed with her sister and mother. My grandparents had both traveled from different parts of Mexico to attend school in Stockton, California. They met and married shortly afterward. This image shows a moment of innocence of what is to come. My grandfather takes a photo of the three women while they shyly position themselves, gossiping and making fun. This lost moment will not happen again; my grandparents will not live the lives they had in Mexico; they will raise children through poverty and racism. This piece is a visual marker of one story ending and the beginning of another.