Art

Winner of 2nd Trienal Internacional Pictórica in Tijuana, Samara Colina, reflects feminist protests in her work

Centro Cultural Tijuana celebrated the 2nd edition of Trienal, where the winner artist was awarded 1 million pesos

By Patricia Martínez2024-09-06T18:59:00+00:00

Centro Cultural Tijuana celebrated the 2nd edition of Trienal Internacional Pictórica in Tijuana where the artwork by Samara Colina Borja titled "Pese a todo, la alegría del encuentro" (Despite everything, the joy of an encounter) became the winner of the 1-million-peso 1st prize.

The goal of Trienal Internacional Pictórica in Tijuana is to highlight national and international talent, and help people to reconsider the possibilities of art. With 537 proposals received, the final selection included artworks by 86 artists from 15 countries, showing impressive diversity and creativity.

This initiative is looking to promote pictorial art and provide a platform for artists from all over the world. Here, people from the audience voted for their favorite artwork and chose the winner alongside a curator.

The winner piece is filled with significance and emotion as it manages to capture the spirit of feminist protests, transforming these activism experiences into a piece of art.

The work "Pese a todo, la alegría del encuentro" reflects purple, green, and pink hues that symbolize the fight and march for women's rights. In addition, this piece is based on a specific event that occurred at a protest in Guanajuato, where the artist was born. It shows women and girls who gathered to sing one of the most representative feminist chants of the movement: "A rapist in your way,", in which she managed to capture this moment of collective euphoria.

It should be noted that this work was an oil painting on fabric which is a technique she has been working and experimented on since 2018, in order to communicate the spirit of social movements.

Connection between art and activism

In an interview with San Diego Red.com, Colina spoke about how her artistic career connects with her activism.

A few years ago, when I started working on art, I had very clear political interests, although at first they were not particularly feminist. However, my artistic production has always gone hand in hand with my participation in activism.

Since she studied a Bachelor's Degree in Art, she has kept an interest in the use of the body as a symbol of demonstration and expression. "Art is a type of activism, especially when it is about collective actions that challenge established norms," she explained.

The experience of participating and winning Trienal Pictórica in Tijuana

Participating in Trienal Internacional Pictórica in Tijuana has been an enriching experience for Samara Colina who has also said that this competition is a unique opportunity.

The activist also mentioned that she found out about this contest three years ago, but was not able to participate then. She kept an eye on the 2nd edition, she applied in April 2024, and sent her piece in February 2024.

It caught my attention, because it is open to artists from all over the world, of different ages and for those with experience or not. Without a doubt, it is a platform to explore new and diverse art techniques.

In addition, she said that being awarded as the winner was a surprise: "Winning 1st place was a big shock (...) To be honest, I was really excited. I couldn’t believe it, I mean, it is a competition with a lot of people participating and being the winner is very unlikely, but I am very excited and grateful."

After winning the 1-million-peso prize, the plastic artist has plans to continue her artistic exploration with a series of paintings about female figures in the coat of arms of Mexican states, reinterpreting these symbols in a pictorial manner.

"As a visual artist, I have worked on this for several years and I try to be active and I am always looking for competitions and I'm always applying, because it is a type of specific motivation so that I can finish the pieces," Colina explained.

Importance of CECUT in the cultural and artistic development of Mexico

The Guanajuato native artist underscored the importance of spaces such as Centro Cultural Tijuana, which play a key role in promoting art and culture in the country.

Trienal Pictórica in Tijuana has consolidated itself as a key event for contemporary art, highlighting the importance of cultural spaces in the promotion of artistic talent in Mexico.

Alongside Samara Colina, honorable mentions were also awarded: María Orozco, from Zacatecas, received $250,000 pesos due to her work, "Después de 10 años, entre el mar y mi afecto nos volvimos a encontrar" (After 10 years, between sea and my love we met once again).

With a prize of $250,000 pesos, artist Enrique Rubio from Pachuca, Mexico, was also awarded due to his piece "Woolander".

Don't miss Trienal Internacional Pictórica in Tijuana! Exhibit is still open to the public

The 2nd edition of Trienal Internacional Pictórica is still open to the public in rooms 1, 2, and 3 at El Cubo Museum and the Marta Palau Room and the ground floor at CECUT facilities.

Visitors will be able to enjoy a great variety of artworks and experience the wealth of international contemporary art. Ticket prices are $50 pesos ($2.50 dollars), which will give you access to the entire exhibit, and can be purchased at CECUT ticket booths and online at: www.cecut.gob.mx. Admission is free on Sundays!