Fantastical Gardens and Feminine Strength: Maria Yolanda Liebana’s Dazzling New Exhibition

Tarot, pop culture, and personal narrative blend spectacularly in the vibrant, mixed-media paintings of Maria Yolanda Liebana. Her imaginative approach brings a unique twist to the artworks. The New York-based artist unveils her first institutional solo exhibition at Montclair State University’s George Segal Gallery this month.

Titled A Place to Be Held, Liebana’s exhibition centers around an enchanting, Eden-like garden filled with a riot of rainbows, flowers, clouds, and cosmic phenomena. “The exhibition imagines a matriarchal world where chance, identity, and desire are always in motion,” says a statement.

If you enjoy how Liebana’s art transforms spaces, you may also appreciate how Ward Bennett revitalizes a historical space into a luxurious living environment.

Liebana’s work is characterized by her use of diverse materials, such as wallpaper, mirror tiles, pearls, glitter, disco balls, sequins, and rhinestones. Her pieces radiate joy and whimsy, while also referencing Catholicism and ancient mythologies through symbols like chalices and cherubs. This whimsical style adds layers of meaning to her work.

Motherhood, Selfhood, and Cultural Inheritance in Her Artistic Vision

As a first-generation Latinx immigrant raised in New Jersey, Liebana has long contemplated selfhood and heritage. The birth of her daughter inspired a collection exploring motherhood as a transformative experience, marked by labor and wonder. Her art features confident, empowered women who dance and socialize, embodying feminine dominion and strength. The mystical garden theme further amplifies this celebration of femininity.

A Place to Be Held opens on September 15 and runs until December 11 in Montclair, New Jersey. Discover more on Maria Yolanda Liebana’s work through her social media.

Source: thisiscolossal.com

Frequently asked questions