Intervenida

I transform forgotten objects and spaces in order to highlight and celebrate life's complexity, finding pattern, rhythm and beauty in the chaos of our reality. I view everything as a puzzle. I am interested in harmonizing seemingly incongruous elements in order to emphasize the actual interconnectedness of everything. Discarded materials are especially fascinating to me because they are a mirror of our society. Repurposing found objects that are laden with history and previous associations adds an element of surprise, discovery, and humor to my work. The reorganization of the pieces provides the spectator a meditation on our culture of consumption and suggests a better utilization of resources, be they human, natural or manufactured. Inspiring our shared impulse to contemplate and create, I introduce new ways of writing our lives, of telling our stories, of narrating ourselves…of intervening.

"Emily C-D channels color. With a vivid, selective palette, the artist has a subtle—yet vehement—way of creating compositions both symbolic and concrete. Her art is grounded in a profound experience that is not only personal, but also collective, reflecting her awareness, positivity, and collaborative spirit. She studies each context and incorporates it, transgressing the everyday by prioritizing the participatory enthusiasm of children and youth who imbue the work with their own voices and colors. A project constructed from ordinary pieces of junk is elevated to the rhythm of a sculpture—unique and authentic, but ephemeral."

—Artist statement, and exhibition text "Fragments for a Mosaic" by Víctor Fuentes, from the catalog for Intervenida

Intervenida: New Installation by Emily C-D was curated by Kay Hwang and was on view at Julio Fine Arts Gallery at Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland from September 10 - October 14, 2012.

"Part shrine, throne, and colorful vortex, the corner piece combines visual elements of Mexican folk art, Op Art, and Pop Assemblage. It fills the back corner of the gallery and comes off as both festive and meditative. At least 12 feet across and 6 feet high, the sculpture relies heavily on a giant piece of white paper, cut and folded as a framing element, which sets it apart physically from the ground and walls of the gallery. An intense blue-green sphere, painted directly on the wall and on a wooden shape on the floor, draws attention to its center; it allows complex patterns from the metal screen and the resulting shadows to vibrate with the movement of the viewer’s eye. In its center, a small yellow festoon diffuses the serious tension of the outer shapes and signifies a small celebration. The piece is visually dramatic but also seems to have a sense of humor about itself. This is true for most of the works included in the show."

—Cara Ober, "On The Move: The mixed-media artwork in Intervenida, a solo show by Emily C-D at Loyola University Maryland, reflects the transformative power of travel and adventure," Bmore Art, 2012.

Check out the full review:

Transformo objetos y espacios olvidados para resaltar y celebrar la complejidad de la vida, encontrando patrones, ritmo y belleza dentro del caos de nuestra realidad. Veo todo como un rompecabezas. Me interesa armonizar elementos aparentemente incongruentes para enfatizar la verdadera interconexión de todo. Los materiales desechados me fascinan especialmente porque son espejos de nuestra sociedad. Reutilizar objetos encontrados, cargados de historia y asociaciones previas, añade a mi obra un elemento de sorpresa, descubrimiento y humor. La reorganización de las piezas ofrece al espectador una reflexión sobre nuestra cultura del consumo y sugiere un mejor uso de los recursos, ya sean humanxs, naturales o industriales. Inspirando entonces nuestro impulso compartido de contemplar y crear, presento nuevas formas de escribir nuestras vidas, de contar nuestras historias, de narrarnos a nosotrxs mismxs... de intervenir.

“Emily C-D canaliza el color. Con una paleta vívida y selectiva, la artista posee una forma sutil, pero vehemente, de crear composiciones tanto simbólicas como concretas. Su arte se basa en una profunda experiencia no solo personal, sino también colectiva, que refleja su conciencia, positividad y espíritu colaborativo. Estudia cada contexto y lo incorpora, transgrediendo lo cotidiano al priorizar el entusiasmo participativo de niños y jóvenes que impregnan la obra con sus propias voces y colores. Un proyecto construido a partir de piezas comunes de desecho se eleva al ritmo de una escultura: única y auténtica, pero efímera.”

—Memoria conceptual de la artista y ensayo "Fragmentos para un mosaico" de Víctor Fuentes, del catálogo de Intervenida

Intervenida: New Installation by Emily C-D fue curada por Kay Hwang y se exhibió en la Galería de Bellas Artes Julio de la Universidad de Loyola en Baltimore, Maryland, EEUU del 10 de septiembre al 14 de octubre de 2012.

All Work © 2025 Emily C-D