Less Peaceful Pt. 3: An Exploration of Identity, Memory, and Transformation | 2nd Floor Mini Gallery
November 25 @ 9:00 am - December 28 @ 5:00 pm
Free
Featuring the works of Daryan Kong and Maritza Flores – 2 Alumni & young artists from Refuge Art School
“Less Peaceful” invites viewers into a shared journey of self-discovery, resilience, and introspection through the distinct yet interconnected works of two young artists, Daryan Kong and Maritza Flores. Each artist reflects on her lived experiences, navigating identity, memory, and personal growth within cultural expectations and individual challenges.
Daryan Kong, a 22-year-old artist from Lowell, Massachusetts, uses her paintings to reconnect with the inner child shaped by her Southeast Asian upbringing and the social pressures it imposed. Through surrealist, vividly colorful compositions, Daryan reclaims moments of girlhood and femininity, balancing themes of nostalgia, amusement, and happiness with explorations of anatomy and self-perception. Her works layer bright acrylics in textures and forms that mirror her progression from childhood to present self, capturing girlhood’s nuances with playful yet complex imagery.
In contrast, Maritza Flores, a 21-year-old Mexican-born magical realist painter and illustrator, dives into themes of healing and resilience rooted in her experiences as an asylum-seeker and survivor. Maritza’s work is deeply introspective, shaped by cultural memories, folklore, and the subconscious. Her paintings are filled with symbolism that speaks to silenced voices and normalized suffering, challenging viewers to reimagine their perspectives on cultural transformation. Through her storytelling, Maritza offers a narrative of hope, resilience, and self-empowerment.
Together, these artists create an environment where girlhood, femininity, and self-expression can be seen and felt in myriad forms. “Less Peaceful” is a space of bold color, layered memory, and transformative introspection—an invitation to reflect on what it means to grow up, reclaim identity, and confront the quieter struggles that shape us all.
The exhibit will be open from November 25th to December 28th, with a reception on December 7th, from 3:30 to 5 PM.
Join us to celebrate the unique voices and visions of these two talented artists!