Though the artist admits to painting for everyone – regardless of race and gender – I like to think that Monica Kim Garza‘s artworks are created specifically with women of colour like myself in mind. Each image features brown bodies in relaxed positions, and you can be certain that they are almost always depicted full-figured, nude and unapologetically so. Her portfolio of work provides the kind of representation that non-white women are craving in 2016, especially in a cultural landscape that continues to take without much or any recognition. Even so, Garza acknowledges that these timely issues don’t play a huge factor in her artistic approach, revealing that because of her multi-cultural background, the resulting imagery is simply a result of what she knows best.
Garza’s work provides the kind of representation that non-white women are craving in 2016
With fashion’s constant appropriation of non-white culture, each painting is laden with the timely message that brown women are beautiful, powerful and worthy of display
Born in the suburbs of central Georgia, Garza didn’t have much access to art throughout her youth. “We didn’t have classes for it or anything,” she says, “so I was left to teach myself how to draw and paint when I was an adolescent.” This tenacity followed the artist into adulthood, leading her to migrate westward. There, she completed a BFA in painting and drawing from California College of the Arts. Always staying true to her roots, the creative has since returned south, where she is now based in Atlanta. “My soul feels good here,” confesses Garza. “Being close to my family and being close to nature – I feel very relaxed.”
Despite her affirmations towards the contrary, it’s difficult not to look at Garza’s art as a socio-political opposition towards traditional western views on women of colour. In today’s world of anti-immigration rhetoric spewed by Donald Trump and fashion’s constant appropriation of non-white culture, each painting is laden with the timely message that brown women are beautiful, powerful and worthy of display. Recent works from the artist’s catalog take things one step further, with Garza transforming the over-sexualisation of women of colour into a force of reclaimed power. This thematic progression from scenes of tranquility towards ones of intimacy is something Garza and her friends have since jokingly labelled “from sloth to turn up.”
“My only goal is to stay focused and just keep hustling hard towards my dreams.” – Monica Kim Garza
With almost 20,000 followers on her personal Instagram as well as a regram last month from the popular account @love.watts, Garza’s work is gaining a loyal fan base that stretches beyond the American south. Last year she collaborated on a series of limited edition skateboard decks with New York-based 5BORONYC. “I’ve always been drawn to skate culture, and Mark Nardelli had this specific vision of my ladies in NYC,” Garza says. “I’m down with that company for life.”
For those of who may not be so gifted on the half pipe, the artist’s website offers her beautiful illustrations on pastel-hued sweaters in addition to a selection of art prints. Finishing this year with a few group shows here and there, Garza looks forward to a potential solo exhibition in 2017. “My only goal is to stay focused and just keep hustling hard towards my dreams.”
More information on Monica Kim Garza is available at monicagarza.com