Coloring Outside the Lines
In the show Coloring Outside the Lines: A Journey Across Artistic & Geographic Borders, presented by Exodus, several artists have come together to create a group show full of life and color. These artists are Haitian, Cuban, or Afghan and have used their personal experiences to fuel their creativity in different ways. Each one has created a unique style that celebrates different aspects of their home countries.
Viviana Méndez is a young Cuban artist who finds inspiration in the dream world, as well as identity and loss. Utilizing Surrealist and Abstract painting styles, she creates portraits that are shocking and contemplative. The works in this show are bold with broad brushstrokes and colors that jump out at the viewer. When asked about her art style, she said, "I was never good with words; I've always found it difficult to convey what it was that I was feeling, whether it was joy or sadness, but especially fear and anxiety. Painting ended up being a way to communicate with the outside world but also with myself." A student at the Instituto Superior de Arte (the University of Arts of Cuba) in La Habana, Cuba, Méndez has developed a painting style beyond her years.
Raúl López Aguilar is another Cuban artist. He creates what he calls Impressionistic Realism paintings, inspired by love and family and focused on dreams. His paintings are primarily portraits of children or family members spending time together. The color palettes of Aguilar's paintings are soft yet vibrant, and add to the dreamy feel of each painting: "I use my art as a way of breathing life and permanence into my dreams. The dream world is so exaggerated and vivid that I've made it my life's work to try to capture and explore the boundaries of a waking dream. I feel this is how children see the world, and it's always been so interesting to me, especially once I had a child of my own. I attempt to let the viewer SEE sounds, music, and movement in much the same way I experience the world." Aguilar's pieces are beautiful and delicate, with a strong use of line that adds a geometric quality to the paintings.
artwork by Viviana Méndez
artwork by Raúl López Aguilar
Qahar Behzad is an artist from Afghanistan who is inspired by his country's rich history and culture. Growing up surrounded by books in his father's libraries also instilled in Behzad a deep love of learning. He creates beautiful landscape paintings, portraits, and abstract pieces. His paintings are richly colored and deeply inspired by his experience growing up in Afghanistan. Now living and working in the Indianapolis community, Behzad has also completed multiple mural projects around the city.
Lidia Aguilera is another Cuban artist. The oldest artist in the group, she has been part of over 100 group shows and has held over 30 solo exhibitions worldwide. An immensely talented artist, she has created works for decades and now calls herself a "national treasure." When asked about her artwork, she says, "I look at my work like a snake shedding its skin. I am constantly growing while at the same time still myself." Aguilera creates abstract pieces with more muted color palettes that draw viewers in and evoke a sense of evocative feeling.
Evens Arcelin is a Haitian artist who creates with the Naive Painting and Realism style with broad brushstrokes and bold colors. When asked about his painting style, he describes it as "organizing and bringing something beautiful out of chaos." His portraits have a lot of movement and are very engaging because they look out at the viewer. Arcelin hopes that everyone can find themselves in his paintings: "I want to connect everyone. It doesn't matter where you find yourself; home can be anywhere if you are connected." His painting style uplifts people above all.
Lo Disces En Serio, 2023 by Lidia Aguilera
artwork by Qahar Behzad
artwork by Evens Arcelin
This show is hosted by Exodus Refugee. As a whole, this show seeks to honor the stories and experiences of these artists and to provide them with the opportunity to share their artwork.