Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Zulimar Mendoza, better known by her artist name, 'Zuli'. A Venezuelan artist now residing in New York, Zuli has been making waves in the art world with her unique and intriguing style of painting.
Images Provided Courtesy of Zulimar Mendoza
About Zuli
Born and raised in Venezuela, Zuli has been living permanently in New York for the past 4 years. Her formal journey in the art world began nine years ago, but her love for art was ignited much earlier. Even as a student, she was always the one who drew beautifully in class. She studied interior design and worked in the field for a while. However, her passion for painting was ignited when someone asked her what truly impassioned her, to which she instantly replied 'Painting!'. This realisation was a calling for her, leading her to enrol in an art school and embark on her artistic journey.
Zuli's Unique Artistic Style
Zuli's unique artistic style is characterized by her focus on portraying a single eye per person, creating a unique and personalized portrait. Each eye she paints tells its own unique story, reflecting the individual's emotions, dreams, and experiences. She pays attention to the smallest details when painting an eye, such as the textures of the skin, the color of the iris, and the reflection of what is in front of the eye. This attention to detail and the history behind each painting allows her to capture the essence of each person, creating a deep and meaningful connection with the viewer.
'Family Portrait' A Piece Zuli Is Proud Of
One of Zuli's most special pieces is 'Family Portrait', a piece that she is particularly proud of. This artwork represents her family members, with herself at the center. She uses a red thread to symbolize the emotional bond that unites her family, reinforcing the idea that family is a fundamental part of our personal identity. She played with the representation of her relatives and three beauty marks that she has, two on her skin and one, ironically, on the eye. This artistic choice reinforces the idea that family is a fundamental part of our personal identity and that, even when we are physically apart from our loved ones, we always carry a part of them with us.
Connecting with her audience
Zuli connects with her audience and collectors through social media platforms, exhibitions, art fairs, and street art. Street art, in particular, has allowed her to connect with a wide range of people, breaking the boundaries of the conventional art world and bringing her art to the masses.
Zuli's Inspiration
Zuli finds inspiration everywhere - in the people around her, world events, and within herself. Her art is a reflection of her life and the world around her, capturing the essence of human emotions and experiences.
Future Plans
Zuli's future plans involve developing a unique show that offers an unforgettable experience to the audience. She plans to use at least 80 paintings that reflect the eyes of the people she knows. This show would be an emotional and sensory journey, designed to immerse the audience in a world of beauty and artistic expression. Through a fusion of music, lights, and visual art, she hopes to create a spectacle that transcends conventional boundaries and leaves a lasting impression on the minds and hearts of all who witness it.
The Challenges and Overcoming Them
Like many artists, Zuli's greatest challenge has been establishing herself among collectors and achieving a livelihood solely through art. This challenge has been magnified by the incredibly competitive nature of the art world. Despite the challenges, Zuli has persevered, using social media as a valuable tool to make a lasting impression and connect with her audience.
Her Artistic Medium
Zuli's journey as an artist began with painting eyes on paper and pasting them on the streets as a form of protest. Now, she uses the acrylic technique on canvas, often leaving prints of her paintings in the city streets as a gift. Her art has evolved just as her life has, reflecting her journey and experiences.
What Makes Her Art Stand Out
Zuli's art stands out in the industry thanks to her focus on portraying a single eye. This unique perspective allows her to convey a wide range of emotions and depth. The eyes, known as the windows to the soul, possess a powerful symbolic and metaphorical component. By removing distractions from the entire face, her paintings establish a more intimate and direct connection with the viewer. This absence of superfluous elements allows the eye to become the primary focus, generating deep and meaningful visual communication. Through her work, she seeks to evoke genuine emotions and provoke deeper reflections on identity and the human essence.