Paula Liz Torres

Waiting For Superman

2011-04-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

As an art teacher I have witnessed first hand the impact that state tests have had on education. The pressure to obtain and maintain high test scores has led some schools to cut back or completely eliminate the arts. As a result, children are not given the opportunities to be creative innovative thinkers. As this trend continues, I become increasingly worried for the welfare and future of our children.

“There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.”   - Edward de Bono

Waiting
Oil on wood, 9"x11"
April 2011

Hay Que Trabajar

2010-03-29T15:48:00.000-07:00

Hay Que Trabajar
Oil on plexiglass, wood, mirror, & lights, 10"x14"
January 2010

Commencement Exhibition

2009-04-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

Operation Bootstrap

2009-04-09T07:58:00.000-07:00

During the first half of the 20th century, home needlework was by far the largest manufacturing industry in Puerto Rico. Because average earnings were only between 3¢ and 4¢ an hour, many employers began hiring impecunious women. It was not until 1954 that legislative revisions were made raising wages in Puerto Rico. For such industries, a 25¢ hourly wage proved fatal and employers began fleeing the island. By 1960, close to a million Puerto Ricans had migrated to New York, forced off their island in part by the economic plan for industrialization and modernization of Puerto Rico, known as Operation Bootstrap.

Note: There are images beneath the mirrors that faintly appear as you walk around and look at the piece from different angels. The reflections on the mirrors are of my studio, including some previous pieces.

Operation Bootstrap. Oil on plexiglass, wood, mirror, & lights. 18"x54" April 2009

Enovid

2009-03-01T13:57:00.000-08:00

In April 1956, the first trial of Enovid began in a impoverished farming town in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico. The participants weren't informed that they were guinea pigs in an experiment to test the world's first birth-control pill. The tablet’s contained three times as much hormones as legally permitted today, and two seemingly healthy women participating in the trials died.

Enovid. Oil on plexiglass & wood. 20"x 72." February 2009

La Operación

2008-12-03T13:32:00.001-08:00

Beginning in the years following WW I, the United States government initiated a program to control the impoverished population in Puerto Rico. Many physicians pushed for sterilization because they believed that other contraceptive methods were too complicated for lower class Puerto Rican women to understand. By 1965, such programs resulted in the sterilization of more than 1/3 of the female population, the highest in the world.

La Operación is a visual representation of my reaction to these appalling facts, and is meant to inspire interest regarding the issue.

La Operación. Oil on plexiglass & wood. 20"x 78." November 2008

Yo soy Bonita

2008-10-07T09:35:00.000-07:00

In 2006, Zuleyka Rivera from Puerto Rico won the title of Miss Universe. Like many other contestants, Rivera had undergone plastic surgery to enhance her appearance and attain the desired European look. When interviewed by Fox News Rivera stated. "If we were to compete as a normal state of the United States you would lose the charm of the beauty of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican beauty is totally different from American beauty."

Soon after her throning, Rivera was criticized by U.S. sponsors for gaining weight and was forced to diet in order to maintain the Miss Universe title.

Yo soy Bonita. Oil on plexiglass & wood, 18"x84" September 2008

Oil Paintings: 2006-2007

2008-09-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

Four, Oil on masonite. 9"x12" January 2007

The Soda and Pretzel Aisle, Oil on panel. 12"x16" May 2007

Three is a Crowd, Oil on masonite. 24"x 18" December 2006

The Caffeine Drinker, Oil on Canvas. 36"x 26" November 2006

Waiting, Graphite on paper. 30"x 22" December 2006

PAULA LIZ TORRES CV

2008-09-21T19:12:00.000-07:00

January 12, 1987: Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

Lives and works in Austin, TX

EDUCATION
2010 MA in Art Education, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD

2009 BFA Painting, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
2008 MICA Summer Study Abroad, Sorrento, Italy

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2010
Mind, Body, And Spirit Exhibition, University of Maryland University College, Adelphi, MD
MAT Thesis Exhibition, MICA Fox Gallery, Baltimore, MD
2009
Commencement Exhibition, MICA Pinkard Gallery, Baltimore, MD
2008
2nd Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Reception, Baltimore City Hall, Baltimore, MD
Juried Undergraduate Exhibition, MICA Pinkard Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Students: Selected Works Exhibition, The Center Club, Baltimore, MD
2007
Juried Undergraduate Exhibition, MICA Pinkard Gallery, Baltimore, MD
1st Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Reception, Baltimore City Hall, Baltimore, MD
Sorrento, Italy: Summer Study Abroad, MICA Fox Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Annual Reception, Maryland House of Delegates, Baltimore, MD
2006
Master of Arts in Teaching Show, MICA Fox Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Foundation Show, MICA Pinkard Gallery, Baltimore, MD

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

2006

Vulcan: “A Literary Disillusion” Volume I, Issue I, November 2006
2005
The Stallion, Volume IV, March 2005

2004
Harford County Public Schools Annual Holiday Card, December 2004
The Stallion, Volume III, March 2004

SELECTED AWARDS
2009

Master of Arts in Teaching Fellowship
2007

Pelicano Scholarship: Summer Study Abroad Program in Sorrento Italy
2005
Maryland Distinguished Scholar: Talent in the Arts Semi-Finalist, NAHS Scholarship, Maryland Delegate Scholarship, Maryland Senatorial Scholarship, MICA Academic Excellence Scholarship, MICA Trustee Award