New York artist Tiffany Alfonesca’s signature mixed-media paintings are vibrant portraits of members of Black and Latinx diasporas, set in radiant acrylic colours, glossily textured oils and layers of sparkling glitter. However, without access to her normal studio space during lockdown earlier this year, and at a time when she was also graduating from New York’s School of Visual Art, she decided to go back to basics—which for her, meant drawing in charcoal and graphite.
She went on to develop her striking 'In Quarantine' series—a set of masterful monochrome portraits inspired by photos of her family, friends and Instagram followers taken in the spots they were confined to during lockdown. The poses of her subjects are casual— some lounge in bed or sprawl over sofas, wearing underwear or jeans and a hoodie. Some perch with pets, partners or plants, others sit enjoying a contemplative cup of coffee. These portraits are scenes of the everyday—closeups on the unique self-expressions of the people portrayed and the places they retreated to during a time of uncertainty.
And this is ultimately what Tiffany’s work is about. Herself identifying as Afro-Dominican-American, she writes that her art “serves as a safe space teeming with beauty and joy” for black and brown bodies, creating a place where individual identity can be celebrated. Her work celebrates Black and Afro-Latinx diasporic culture, while also showcasing the complexity and variety that exists within these communities, and the multitudes of unique cultural expressions and lived experiences that they contain.
Despite the difficulties of 2020, Tiffany has had an eventful year, from completing her degree to designing front covers for Bloomberg Markets and create! magazine, and exhibiting work at galleries such as UnitLondon and New Image Art Gallery LA. She has big plans for the new year, which will see her exhibiting in a number of galleries including Gallery 1957 in London and Jeffrey Dietch Gallery in New York – we’re excited to follow her progress.
Tiffany Alfonseca’s powerful quarantine portraits
19.12.20
Tiffany Alfonseca’s powerful quarantine portraits
We explore the work of the New York-based artist and her compelling portraits of family and friends made during lockdown earlier this year, showcasing the importance of community and cultural expression.
19.12.20
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tiffanyalfonesca.com / @tiffanyalfonseca
