Daniela Reyes Atencia

studio art // portfolio

From My Table to Yours
The purpose of this artwork is to celebrate Peruvian food, touch on my immigrant experience, and spark thoughts on how food brings people together within their families or close-knit groups. I immigrated to the US at the age of seven and have been living here ever since; therefore, I sometimes feel out of touch with my cultural heritage and family back in Peru. My mom’s cooking is one of the only ways I can feel connected to my grandparents who also cooked for me. Food allows families to stay united despite borders, generational differences, or even death. It is more than just survival—it’s a way of loving. However, being in another country means it will never be the same as it is in your home. Certain things won’t always feel right, hence the distorted pan flute music, the paintings of food you physically cannot eat but wish you could, and fragmented pieces of the mantas that are painted and not authentic. The juxtaposition of my authentic pieces vs the “fake” elements speaks to my frustration as an immigrant in another country. At the same time, I also hope this piece will create a sense of pride and solidarity among my audience who identify with the same heritage while also inviting non-Peruvian viewers into the discussion. The multi-sensory experience is meant to unlock memories for those who engage with my work regardless of their culture, but also for immigrants to think about what they miss about home. The addition of the empty plates is my way of inviting the viewer to bring their own memories, associations, and culture to my piece. I always create pieces restrained to the canvas, therefore I want to explore an artwork that goes beyond the canvas and allows for audience interaction.