“I plot an imaginary cartography of our human condition.”
I use many resources to set up situations that trigger deep emotions and make us question our surroundings. When people are carried by their emotions, the boundaries of what is socially acceptable becomes loose. In these circumstances the private becomes public, and collective catharsis generates. The epilogue can be a happy ending… or a revolution.
As a visual storyteller, I want to build a collective narrative to allow the public to add their own interpretation. Sometimes I am straightforward when I deliver the message, but usually a second gaze is needed to understand the intention of the piece.
I plot an imaginary cartography of our human condition. To achieve that, I twist the lines of the subjects into topographic landscapes. This style, which I call "Wildlines", is inspired by the theories of Kandinsky, math concepts.
Bio and resume
Ytaelena comes from a very diverse background, covering journalism, art history, literature, linguistics and technology. This allows her to use a sheaf of theories and disciplines to assemble deux-ex-machina installations and mixed media art that connects with the public in a visceral way. She often exhibits her work in San Francisco galleries like Secession, Wonderland, Minna Gallery, SOMARTS, Artspan and MCCLA. She has also shown in Los Angeles (Seohum, DAB), Miami (Azake Art), and New York (Lana Santorelli Gallery).
She has been a featured artist during stARTup Art Fair SF, in 2015, an Artspan Artist in Residence (2011), a finalist in the SECA SFMoma in 2012 and exhibited at the DeYoung Museum in 2020.
Art shows
2020
. "DeYoung Open", at De Young Art Museum, San Francisco, CA.
· ArtSpan Annual Juried Benefit Auction, SF, CA.
· Secession Art & Design, San Francisco, CA.
2018
· New Work. (San Francisco Open Studios) ArtSpan, San Francisco, CA
2017
· “Sanctuary”. (3 person show). Secession Art & Design, San Francisco, CA.
· “Firelines”, Day of the Dead. SOMArts, San Francisco, CA.
· “Happiness hides behind layers”. (Juried Benefit Art Auction). ArtSpan. San Francisco, CA.
2016
· “In Heat”, Alley Cat bookstore & Gallery. SF, CA. April.
· “Anniversary show”, SMASH Gallery. SF, CA. July.
· ArtSpan Annual Juried Benefit Auction, SF, CA. April.
· “Solo Mujeres” MCCLA (Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts). SF, CA. March.
2015
· Art for Aids. (Juried Show) The Metreon, San Francisco, CA. 1 day
· ArtSpan Live auction, Showing as /eE.l.os/. SF, CA.
· San Francisco Open Studios. 1890 Bryant St. San Francisco, CA. 2 days.
2014
· Red Poppy Art House, SF (CA)- August
· “Anniversary Show”. Wonderland SF, San Francisco, CA.
· “Firelines”, Day of the Dead. SOMArts, San Francisco, CA.
· San Francisco Open Studios. 1890 Bryant St. San Francisco, CA. 2 days.
2013
· Big Umbrella Studio, SF, May
· Live auction at ArtSpan Annual Juried Benefit Auction, SF, CA. April.
2012
· Solo show at Azake Art Gallery, Miami, April
· Gallery 13, Minneapolis (MN), (2010- 2012)
· Driftwood Salon, SF, Jan
2011
· Jellyfish Gallery, SF, May
2010
· City Art Gallery, SF, (2009- 2010)
· Art for Aids. (Juried Show) The Metreon, San Francisco, CA. 1 day
· Lana Santorelli Gallery, New York, May
2009
· Seyhoun Gallery, Los Angeles.
· 85@85, 3rd annual International Juried exhibition. MiArte Gallery, Miami,
Honors
- Nominate as a candidate for the 2012 SECA Art Award by the SFMOMA
-8 weeks Art Resident @Artspan 2010 - 2011 (Artist in Education Program)
-"Best Contemporary Installation" Award during Dia de Muertos 2008 at MCCLA, SF
Installations
2021
“Tarot in Pandemic and Revolution”, by Nomadic Press, collaboration with several Bay Area Artists, CA
2020
· “19th Amendment Anniversary” show and poster edition. Haight street Art Center, San Francisco, CA
2017
· “Firelines”, Day of the Dead. SOMArts, San Francisco, CA.
· “Accidental riots, intencional aggressions, unavoidable pain”, Day of the Dead. SOMArts, San Francisco, CA.
2016
· “Color your memories”, Day of the Dead. SOMArts, San Francisco, CA.
2015
· "Monster over Bay Bridge”, outdoor mural at 20th St and Bryant St., SF
· Feature Artist, ArtSpan Group Exhibit during stARTup Art Fair, Francisco, CA
· Illusion Show 8, MCCLA (Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts). 1 day
2014
· SCRAP ART, Reclaimed Room, Building Resources, San Francisco
· Science, Technology & the Future of Art exhibit (First Prize) - Pacific Art League, Palo Alto, 2014
· “Mission sandbox”, Day of the Dead. SOMArts, San Francisco, CA.
2013
· Collaborative outdoor mural with Precita Eye@ Lucky Alley & 24th St, SF
· “This may you give you cancer”, Day of the Dead. SOMArts, San Francisco, CA. 1 month.
2012
· “Bïtch: pavlovian solution for the modern home”, LATINAMENTE 2012, The Office Gallery, Rome, Italy
· “Growing hope”, Day of the Dead. SOMArts, San Francisco, CA. 1 month.
2011
· “To see the light”, Day of the Dead. SOMArts, San Francisco, CA. 1 month.
· FIA (Iberoamerican Art Fair), Espacios MAD Gallery, Caracas, Venezuela.
2010
· “What the departed have left us”, Day of the Dead. SOMArts, San Francisco, CA. 1 month.
2009
·“Trapped”, Day of the Dead. SOMArts, San Francisco, CA. 1 month.
2008
· “Mission afterlife”, Day of the Dead. SOMArts, San Francisco, CA. 1 month.
· “Virgen de la diversidad”, MCCLA, SF, November. "Best Contemporanean Art Installation" Award.
· Window installation,, Artist Television Access, SF, Jan.
· “Bïtch: pavlovian solution for the modern home”, Window installation,, Artist Television Access, SF, 1 month.
· “ANI-MALES” (video interactive installation), Salon Universitario, Galeria de arte UCV, Caracas, Venezuela