Valentina Castilla

I create art to honor connection to my upbringing roots. I assemble fragments of my own identity

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You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!

Voting for the Top 20 ends Thursday the 14th of May at 7PM PDT

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What is your favorite type of art to create?

My favorite type of art to create is mixed‑media work that weaves symbolism, material, and memory together. I’m drawn to assembling fragments whether paint, glass, clay, or found elements to reflect my personal history and ancestral roots. Through this process, I honor Indigenous knowledge and transform pieces of my identity into visual narratives that speak to resilience, connection, and belonging.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in my lived experience, ancestral memory, and the cultural symbols passed down through Indigenous traditions. My upbringing, family stories, and the materials I work with all inform my process. I’m especially inspired by fragments objects, textures, and symbols that carry history because they allow me to explore identity, survival, and connection across generations.

What would you do with $25,000?

I would use the $25,000 to invest in both materials and dedicated studio time to create a larger‑scale work or installation. This support would allow me to expand my practice beyond the limitations of smaller formats and fully realize a piece that engages with space, scale, and public visibility. My intention is to place this work in the public realm, where it can invite collective reflection, honor Indigenous symbolism, and foster connection between personal history and shared cultural narrativ

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