GORDA

A VANESSA ALVARADO ART EXHIBIT

April 2024

Born and raised from the South Valley in Albuquerque NM, Vanessa Alvarado a painter and mosaic muralist with ALMA, a non-profit she co-founded in New Mexico. She earned her BFA in Studio Art from the University of New Mexico in 2011 and currently works as a high school art and Social and Emotional Learning teacher. While her passion is painting, her focus after graduating collage was on her public school teaching and her non-profit. Now, she is rediscovering her love for painting, creating figurative artworks reflecting on her experiences as a woman, mother, and educator. Alvarado views art as a powerful tool for teaching and connecting. Self healing being a central theme in her oil paintings.

*“Pildoras” oil on canvas by Vanessa Alvarado.*

GORDA: EXHIBIT Statement

“Gorda” is an art exhibition featuring a selection of portraiture oil paintings that delve into the complexities of body image, cultural identity, and self-acceptance. Vanessa’s exploration of the Spanish term “Gorda,” which translates to “fat” in English, sheds light on the dual nature of this word as toxic endearment infused with affection. As an overweight Mexican-American girl growing up bilingual, Vanessa developed body image issues from an early age. Shaped by the conflicting emotions evoked by being labeled “Gorda.” Her art is a manifestation of her ongoing struggle with self-love and acceptance. Through her paintings of her own body, Vanessa aims to shift the narrative from external judgment to internal appreciation, inviting viewers to reflect on their own relationships with their bodies and identities.