Kayla Navarro

ARTIST STATEMENT

My current body of work explores the complexities of emotions accompanying relationship changes within the presence of absence. The heart of my work lies a deep awe and contemplation of the delicate nature of human connections, and the fragility of the emotions and experiences that bind us into a collective existence. Inspired by Artists like Jess Allen, Caroline Walker, Lindsey Cherek Waller, Edward Hopper, and Andrew Wyeth, I delve into themes of longing, loss, and nostalgia and invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences and perceptions of relationships by capturing the nuances of the human experience and human psyche. 

My paintings serve as visual narratives that are sourced through the stories of others, and my experiences, but most importantly, they are sourced from moments in which I am struck by Sonder (the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own). The feeling of Sonder allows me to create pieces of art that are not only a reflection of my life but rather emphasize our shared realities and feelings. Working primarily on canvas with oil and acrylic paints allows me to source the proper forms, color, and interplay of light and shadows to create an emotionally resonant composition. 

In my recent collection of work called “Echoes of Connection,” I explore changes in romantic relationships, familial relationships, and the relationship with self including but not limited to heartbreak, losing someone close to you, strained familial relationships, or even grieving older versions of yourself as you grow. These concepts are highlighted through elements and principles such as line, repetition, contrast, emphasis by isolation, and a variety of color palettes featuring subdued, mid-, and high-key colors.