Artist Statement

Eva Paredes is a painter who grew up in Puebla, Mexico. She is interested in the study of colour and dreams. And how both relate to the subconscious mind.

She is also inspired by  horror stories, pop culture and surrealism.  She  studied Fine Art in Mexico in 2016 and specialised in painting.  She has worked in mural painting projects and led art workshops in museums back in Puebla. She has also worked as a language tutor and nursery practitioner, programs that have allowed her to develop an interdisciplinary practice within pedagogy and art.

Her individual  work is heavily influenced by the bold and raw nature of expressionism and emotive brushstrokes. She draws inspiration from my experiences living in Scotland, Germany and Mexico. Incorporating elements of street photography and personal chronicles into her pieces, she is able to express her attachment to the natural world, particularly plants and animals. In order to achieve this,  she makes use of  dream journals, oil painting and mixed media materialising through a playful and sometimes satirical language.

The collaborative part of her work also encourages the use and study  of vibrant colours aiming to convey the complexity and beauty of the human experience.  To achieve this she has worked making murals with the support of local communities, including residents, schools, and other organisations, creating art that reflects the dwellers history, culture, and values.  These murals depict a traditional Mexican weaving, which is an analogy of how individual actions inside a community influence one another. The colours are selected by contrast and equivalence and are embedded in symmetrical shapes, which create a kaleidoscopic background for the everyday activities of these spaces.

Eva’s interest in expressionist and contemporary painting is noteworthy in her paintings. Her work  is often characterised by its emphasis on colour, shape, and texture over representational imagery, a powerful tool for conveying emotion and mood through visual elements alone.

When working with mural paintings she works regularly with other artists, producing a merge of visions aiming to develop  large scale abstract images. Her belief in art as a device to bring people together is evident in her collaborations with residents, schools, and other organisations, where she creates art that fosters a sense of pride and ownership in their community.

In essence, Eva possesses a diverse range of creative talents, involving photography, writing  and painting. This combination of skills,  allows her to explore different forms of expression and convey your ideas through multiple mediums. Eva's art is an exploration of the complexity and beauty of life. Her use of vibrant colours and emotive brushstrokes as a trace of her own existence.

Eva's art is a celebration of life, culture, and the human spirit. Through a vission of bringing people together, she strives finding beauty in collective experiences as well as in deep waves of introspection that infuse her individual work. Her paintings have been exhibited in galleries across Mexico and Scotland, where it has been praised for its emotional depth and technical unconventionality.

CV

Proactive and goal-driven educator, I strive to provide valuable resources and approachable support to my pupils. My expertise includes cultural studies, languages,
and pedagogy, which has strengthened my inclination towards the arts and drives me to continually expand my knowledge in this field.


Work Experience

Lead Artist
Flexible Funding: Project supported by Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Direct Aid International
December 2023 - October 2024

Support Artist
North Edinburgh Arts - Edinburgh, Scotland
October 2022 to Otober 2023

Nursery Practitioner
July 2021 to September 2022

Project Coordinator (Art Workshops and Mural painting)
COARCO Tlaxcala - Loma Bonita, Tlaxcala
April 2016 to August 2021

Art Gallery Assistant
Nuun Galería - Oaxaca de Juarez, Mexico
August 2016 to March 2017

Workshop Leader  -  Full year internship
Museo Amparo - Puebla, Mexico
June 2014 to June 2016

Education

One Day Painting course 
Leith School of Art - Edinburgh, Scotland

Specialisation Course in Artist's Mentoring
Leith School of Art - Edinburgh, Scotland
September 2022 to Present

SVQ3 in Childhood Practice
Borders College -  Scottish Borders
November 2021 to October 2022

Specialisation in Latin American Contemporary Art
Centro Nacional de las Artes - Academic Online Program
August 2018 to November 2018

Postwar Abstract Painting in Fine Arts
Museum of Modern Art - Remote
May 2017 to June 2017

Bachelor in Fine Arts
Universitario BAUHAUS - Puebla, Mexico
August 2012 - July 2016

Selected Exhibitions and Murals

2024
Plethora:  Collective exhibition at Patriothall Gallery in Edinburgh, Scotland

2023
End of Year Exhibition: Collective exhibition at Leith School of Art in Edinburgh Scotland
I, Present: Collective exhibition at the embassy of Mexico in London, United Kingdom
Pride Gallery Show: Collective exhibition at Sett Studios in Edinburgh, Scotland
2021 Crónicas en la pandemia:Written work selected by  Cátedra Carlos Monsiváis and published online as part of a chronicle anthology.
2020 Ojo de Dios: Mural installation in Mühlhausen Germany. Supported by Thuringia XXL Funpark and Freunde der Erziehungskunst
2019 Confetti: Self-funded mural installed in Puebla,México
2016 Habitat:Collaborative mural installation at CEDECO (Communitary Development Centre) in Tlaxcala, México 
2015 Memento Mori: Collective exhibition at Casa del Libro. Puebla, México
2014 Órdenes Privados:  Collective photgraphy exhibition sponsored by Centro del Imagen and installed in Puebla, México