High Artist Spotlight: Rei

Rei Hernandez's inspirations developed within her obsession of accumulation, and the richness of cluster and visual amassing. Her artistic ambition peaked upon returning to her country from the United States, profoundly amazed by the landscapes of her hometown. From any vantage point, she could behold an infinite view of mountains, houses, street lights, and the diverse presence of nature. It was an explosion of colors, textures, and details within details that influenced her artwork in both concept and aesthetic. Yet, this reality was challenging to process. The colors on the houses were actually poorly painted and covered with graffiti, adorned in beautiful metal bars to protect homeowners from invaders, while poverty loomed at every corner with poor street performers or indigenous people selling fruits and vegetables for mere sustenance, with luck. It was confusing for Rei to adore something so visually beautiful when the matter at hand was brutally the opposite. This paradox became the foundation of her art.
We recently caught up with Rei after High Art 2023 to learn more about her most recent inspirations:
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Where do you find your creative inspiration?

Self analyzing. I believe the key to create a truly original piece is to know oneself.

Why do you do what you do?

Regardless of how much I’ve improved my verbal communication, art is still the only language that I feel I can communicate fluently with.

What art/artist do you most identify with?

I heard this term only once by a teacher of mine: "Emotionalistic". That.

What themes do you pursue the most?

Magic, trauma, mythology, femme fatale.

What role does an artist have in society?

Whichever they choose, we cannot be told what we are supposed to create.

What is your artistic outlook on life?

Art is creating and creating anything is art. So, life, in its very essence, is art.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Honestly, I still don’t know. Maybe that so far, you’ve done nothing wrong.

Do you listen to music while you are creating? If yes, share the song and artist that you listen to while creating art.

Kitchen Sink - Twenty-One Pilots Celtic instrumentals - Adrian Von Ziegler

What's the best thing about being an artist?

Everything

What is your dream project?

I have a couple, from having my own studio somewhere in the mountains, to collaborating with certain artists.

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