Amliv is living and working among us here in Miami. The Cuban artist (who, according to her bio “eats her rice and beans regularly”) creates delicate and ethereal imagery – it’s hard to place the images within a city so much the opposite. Not only do I admire Amliv for her skill with graphite, but the imaginative nature of her images is also to be revered. As someone who at times relies heavily on source photographs, I’m in awe of the emotion and precision portrayed in these fantastical scenes.
I see Amliv’s images and wonder about the story behind the characters and their interactions. What relationship does the artist see between these women and beasts? Almost all of Amliv’s drawings of women show them with their eyes closed. I feel as if these women are completely engulfed in their personal experience, whether it be transformation, grandeur, dream, or sleep. It’s a beautiful and strange effect, and it is executed with such grace.
