HEDY TORRES

Artist Bio

I was born in Colima, Mexico in 1988, into a family of seven. In 2006, I moved to the United States and obtained a Green Card and General Education Diploma (GED) in 2009. I currently reside in Los Angeles, CA.

I worked various jobs, including as a street vendor and an Uber driver, to afford my education. During my time as a street vendor, I came face-to-face with the harsh reality of this hard and often dangerous occupation. This experience inspired the direction of my artwork to focus on street vendors, immigrants, and the unseen, hardworking, and often forgotten people who are part of Los Angeles the multicultural city that we all enjoy.

Various personal experiences also prompted the topic of my dissertation thesis – spotlighting the stories of undocumented immigrants in the US.

I hold an MA with an emphasis on Painting and Drawing from California State University, Northridge.

Artist's Statement

I am Hedy Torres, an artist dedicated to shedding light on the experiences of immigrants and street vendors in the United States. Through my artistic practice, I endeavor to challenge prevailing prejudices, labels, and stereotypes that have historically marginalized these individuals, instead celebrating their unique and invaluable contributions to society, economy, and culture.

My current artistic practice is a tribute to the lives of street vendors, manifested through oil portraits and depictions of hands on canvas, steel cooking tools, paper, and other mediums. The choice to paint either portraits or hands in action allows me to capture a unique moment in the lives of vendors – one that often goes unnoticed by those being served. For the backgrounds of the portraits, I employ a variety of tools, including stencils, markers, and carefully affixed signs, crafting a visual journal of personal stories, experiences, and memories. In pieces featuring objects like tortilla makers or steel trays, the surface serves as a homage to the moment captured on it.

Through my artistic expression, I aim to contribute to a broader understanding and appreciation of the diverse stories and contributions of immigrants and street vendors, fostering a connection between the viewer and the subjects portrayed in my work.