In a striking display of creativity and resilience, Venezuelan musician Arca—born Alejandra Ghersi—has turned to painting as a means of overcoming the mental exhaustion she faced after a decade of high-profile success in the music industry. Following her collaborations with legends like Madonna and Björk, Arca’s latest exhibition, titled “Angels,” is currently on show at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London, showcasing a collection of evocative and chaotic artworks that reflect her personal journey and artistic evolution.
A Return to the Canvas
Before Arca made waves in the music world, she was a young teenager in Caracas, sharing her early 3D animations on DeviantArt. This formative experience laid the groundwork for her artistic expression, which has now come full circle with her first institutional exhibition.
Now at 36, Arca has produced a series of paintings that are as raw as they are visceral. Using a diverse array of materials—oils, acrylics, spray paint, and even melted plastic—she explores the depths of her psyche through nightmarish imagery that features grinning clowns and wide-eyed demons. These works, initially intended as a private exploration, became a cathartic outlet during a period when she felt disconnected from her musical roots.
“I fell out of love with making music for a while,” Arca reflects, noting the burnout that drove her to pick up a paintbrush. “I didn’t know how to start to make another record. But with painting, there’s no delete button. It’s raw and immediate.”
The Art of Survival
Created in a communal yard in Barcelona, the “Angels” series embodies a frenetic energy that Arca describes as therapeutic. Each piece was crafted through a process that often involved spontaneous, almost violent, acts of creation—stabbing materials with a knife and layering paint in a frenzy.
“It was a way of processing different violences that I had survived,” she explains. “I realised that understanding was not going to be found through language but through feeling.” This revelation has allowed her to delve deep into her experiences, confronting traumas that she had previously compartmentalised.
Her artistic practice has provided a form of therapy, enabling her to navigate the complexities of her identity as a queer and transgender individual. The paintings serve as a mirror of her struggles, reflecting both the angels and the mutants within her psyche.
From Isolation to Expression
Arca’s journey is deeply intertwined with her upbringing. Raised in a privileged family in Caracas, she faced societal challenges that contributed to her feelings of isolation. Her early years were marked by a longing for acceptance and a struggle with her identity. “I would pray every night for God to change me into a straight cis person,” she recalls, emphasising the weight of societal expectations.
Music was her escape, allowing her to express emotions that she could not articulate. As she transitioned into adulthood and moved to the United States for university, she found freedom within the vibrant club scene. This environment paved the way for her eclectic musical style, which combines elements of pop, industrial, and reggaeton, often blurring linguistic and gender boundaries in her lyrics.
However, the political climate in Venezuela remains a source of concern for Arca. She recalls a recent performance in her home country, where the presence of Amnesty International representatives underscored the risks faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. “It’s so Orwellian there and it’s only gotten worse,” she laments, highlighting the pervasive machismo and patriarchal attitudes that continue to impact the community.
A New Chapter in Creation
Following the release of her last studio album, “Kick iiiii,” in 2021, Arca has taken time to reflect and recharge. The artistic journey through her “Angels” series has rekindled her passion for music, leading her to announce new material, including the tracks “Sola” and “Puta.” “The psyche is miraculous,” she affirms. “Over time, we fragment through trauma, but art can help us recombine and find steadiness.”
As visitors engage with Arca’s paintings at the ICA, they are invited into her world—a space where chaos meets beauty, and trauma transforms into art. This exhibition is not just a showcase of her creativity; it is a testament to the healing power of artistic expression.
Why it Matters
Arca’s journey from the brink of burnout to artistic rebirth serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Through her vibrant and tumultuous artworks, she confronts personal and collective traumas, offering a voice to those who have faced similar struggles. In a world that often marginalises the narratives of queer and transgender individuals, Arca’s work stands as a beacon of hope and a call for acceptance. Her story is a powerful illustration of how art can transcend pain, fostering understanding and connection in an increasingly fragmented society.
