Arca's Nightmarish Art Emerges From Musical Burnout

Venezuelan artist Arca, known for her musical collaborations with artists like Björk and Rosalía, has unveiled her first institutional exhibition at the ICA in London. Titled "Angels," the collection features paintings created after Arca experienced significant burnout from her music career. These artworks are characterized by thick layers of various materials, from oils and acrylics to melted plastic, forming nightmarish faces and figures.

Ghersi, who is queer and transgender, describes the painting process as visceral and trance-like, a deliberate contrast to music's erasable nature. She found the permanence of physical art essential for processing past violences and traumas. The paintings were created in a communal yard in Barcelona, where Arca now resides, sometimes produced in a frenzy and incorporating elements like melted plastic and knife work.

This exploration into visual art marks a full circle for Arca, whose early interests included 3D animations shared online as a teen. The exhibition delves into themes of mutation, post-Darwinian biology, and abject biblical imagery, reflecting her journey of self-discovery and healing. Arca's recent musical releases, such as "Sola" and "Puta," signal a return to music, enabled by the therapeutic process through her painting.

The artist reflects on her journey, noting how the psyche can fragment through trauma but eventually recombine. Her experiences in Venezuela, including concerns for LGBTQ+ safety, also inform her perspective. Arca's work signifies a powerful transformation, moving from musical burnout to a profound artistic expression of survival and healing.