FLORECER Lucia Zúñiga Cáceres

Since migrating to Aotearoa, Lucia Zúñiga Cáceres' art practice has blossomed alongside her own journey of healing. Experience this in her joyful paintings at Cultural Conversations.

"Florecer means 'to bloom' in Spanish. I chose this title as it speaks to my personal experience as an artist. To allow yourself to heal. To finally ask for help, and feel no shame in doing so. To extend that help to others, and to heal as a community.

I feel that my art's transition from black and white to colour follows my own process of healing, and coming to terms with my grief. I love my black and white art, but I also see in it a reflection of my feelings at the time. My lack of self confidence, my uncertainty, I believed that I could no longer feel positive things, or wouldn't allow myself to out of fear that they would only be taken from me again.

Due to the trauma brought on by the constant grief hitting my family my heart was completely numbed and I was incapable of feeling pride or excitement about my own achievements. What did it matter when so many of the people I loved were hurting?

Being surrounded by people who believed in me gave me the trust that my inner self so deeply needed. They gave me the freedom to try without fear. To bring colour to my work, and new styles. To think big, and put together complex projects without fear of failure or judgement.

My art is still my therapy, and its practice still soothes me. But my 'what ifs' used to come from a place of worry, while now they are born from excitement. I hope to share some of that excitement with you."

- Lucia Zúñiga Cáceres

Suggested Donation ($5-20)