Anaid Garcia (they/she) is a self-taught painter and computer scientist whose work deeply embodies the generational storytelling passed down through their grandmothers, elders, and community. Their artistry serves as a vivid manifestation of the shared seconds and lifetimes embedded in these interwoven narratives.

Garcia’s artistic process is profoundly influenced by photographic technologies, especially their role in archiving moments frozen in time. Using oil painting as a medium, Garcia documents photographs of family members and captures the essence of their youthful stories. Coming from a mixed-status family, the archival effort holds particular significance, as many family photos have been lost due to migration. Painting becomes a method to engage intimately with these archives, allowing Garcia to study the temporal and spatial context in which the images were originally taken. Through this methodical process, Anaid is able to translate the depth and emotion of each accompanying story into their visual work.

By creating archives rooted in photographs and oral histories passed down by elders, Anaid transforms these narratives into paintings that resonate with the lived experiences and cultural memory of their lineage. This need to archive life is deeply personal for Garcia, rooted in the profound insight they gained following a near-death experience. This pivotal moment underscored the impermanence of the physical form and inspired a mission to preserve histories at risk of being forgotten. Through their work, Garcia not only honors the fragility of life but also ensures that these cultural memories endure across generations.

Anaid holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from Mount Holyoke College and is currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Southern California. Their work has been showcased in group exhibitions at Charlie James Gallery, Irvine Fine Arts Center, and the Vincent Price Art Museum.