"Historically, the Bay Area has been the at forefront of diverse political and social movements...growing up in an environment that fostered a rich counterculture helped formulate my Chicana/Pocha perspective". Viviana Paredes. Viviana Paredes, is a Bay Area native, born and raised in San José, California. Viviana is a graduate of California College of the Arts in 2001 with an emphasis in sculpture. Influenced by her grandmother Petra, a native of Chihuahua, México, Viviana was initiated into the ancient tradition of medicinal plants and curanderismo (the tradition of healing physical and spiritual health through the use of medicinal plants). In her work, we can observe the delicate interrelationships of our natural world and the disconnections modern society has to nature. Viviana's work comes from a deep sense of belonging to something greater than the self. Mixed media sculptures and installations are Viviana's dialogue, through the art making process natural materials are transformed into conversations involving the artwork and viewer.
