Victoria Rinaldi

BFA in Art & Design

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Mestiza

My paintings challenge the eurocentric canon and the exotification and sexualization of Asian women, specifically Filipinas. I flip this narrative by placing former colonial subjects in places of power on the canvas. Through my research, I have become interested in the work of Ralph Cowan, a contemporary American painter who revived traditional european court paintings in his depictions of the British royal family, the Trumps, and the Marcos family. His images of the Marcos family are tied directly to the colonial mentality of many Filipinos, something I have navigated in my own life. Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos ruled over the Philippines from 1965-1986, keeping control through martial law, stealing billions from Filipino citizens to fuel their lifestyle. My paintings combine elements of pre-colonial cultural artifacts such as kusikus, a traditional textile, and native flora to contrast the opulence of european court painting and themes of primitivism and exoticism of the orient in late 19th century depictions of Asian and Pacific Islander women. My paintings reclaim pre-colonial Filipino culture by depicting Filipinas with autonomy and strength in order to poke fun at the absurdity of Western imperialism and cultural hegemony.
A painting with a woman seated in the center, holding a cat. She is painted yellow. There are plants in the background and fabric attached to canvas to mimic a curtain. The woman is gazing directly at the viewer, looking aloof but strong.

Deb

A painting of a woman wearing a pink dress. The dress is cloth attached to the canvas. There is a window behind her and plants in the background. The woman is painted yellow. She is looking directly at the viewer, intensely.
A painting with a woman standing in the middle. Her skin is painted yellow and she is wearing a pink dress. There is cloth attached to the canvas to mimic a sleeve on her dress. There is a window with a bright blue sky and clouds behind her as well as plants. Her hand is resting on a table next to her with a container that says

Mestiza

This is a painting of a woman sitting on a chair. She is sitting comfortably, with her fist casually in the air. She is looking directly at the audience with strength and confidence. Her skin is yellow and she is wearing men's clothing.

Vic

Recipe for bibingka, a filipino dessert made from sticky rice.

Bibingka Recipe

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