Luz Castaneda
Luz Castaneda · Source: New York Artists Circle · Rights retained by the original rights holders
- Medium
- Acrylic Paint
- Based in
- Astoria, New York
- Practice
- Collage, Photography
LUZ CASTANEDA was born in Brazil to Brazilian and Spanish parents. Since 2014 she has been living and working as an artist in NYC. Luz is a self-taught artist, a biologist, Ph.D. in Genetics, an educator, and a researche… Full biography
Biography
LUZ CASTANEDA was born in Brazil to Brazilian and Spanish parents. Since 2014 she has been living and working as an artist in NYC. Luz is a self-taught artist, a biologist, Ph.D. in Genetics, an educator, and a researcher in the sacred language of nature. Her investigation and artwork are a combination of her artistic soul and scientific mind with her free spirit intertwining the two. The enchantment of nature, whether through science or through spiritual traditions based on nature, has been the source of inspiration for her creations.
Over the past 15 years, Luz has participated in numerous individual and group exhibitions. Her work has been awarded in both Brazil and the US. Her studio in Astoria, NY, is a center for artistic creation as well as reflections on Being Nature.
Luz Castaneda’s most significative one-person exhibitions include Ribirth (2019, QCA Awarned), Plaxall Gallery – NYC; Urban Orixas (2017), Sacred Arts Research Foundation, NYC; Owa da Luz (2015), Espaço Arte – Ateliê Revestimento, Brazil; Herbs and Orishas (2014), UNICAMP, Brazil.
Some of Luz Castaneda’s most important collective exhibitions: Botanicals (2021), Life Space-Time Digital Gallery, Photography & Digital Category, awarded special recognition; Heritage (2021), Digital Exhibition Long Island City Artists (LIC-A); Marielle 1, (2020) LIC-A Atlantic Gallery, NYC; Marielle, 2 (2020), Hammond Museum, NY; Rebirth (2020), Connect, Care, Create Healing Collective Trauma through Art, Digital Exhibition, The Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence, NYC.
Artist statement
The enchantment of nature, whether through science or through spiritual traditions based on nature, has been the source of inspiration for my creations. I am committed to my cultural diversity, my moods, my feelings, and all of this show up in my creations!
I often use photography to capture the uniqueness of a moment, to keep my feelings and the mood alive! The photograph is only the first step toward the final piece. Collaging, consisting of different materials, such as old money, paper, trash, natural objects, and/or fabrics, is often the next step.
Since I am committed to my freedom and the beauty to be myself, I use any medium and materials in my art. My personal philosophy is simple: Be your own master and tell your own story through the brushes. Be the painter of your life!
