Dalia Palacios

Artist Statement

Dalia enrolled in community college after high school. As a first generation student with immigrant parents. Dalia struggled balancing school and the demands of being a young adult. On a hot summer night in Echo Park back in 2010. Dalia was out riding their bicycle when a car door struck them without notice. This accident left them with permanent nerve damage to their dominant hand. It had a major impact on the rest of their body as well as their art career. Soon after this accident, Dalia became the primary caretaker for a loved one. Not being able to make art after they recovered. They focused their spare time to learn about photography, graphic design and film. Three years later, they joined Las Fotos Project and mentored young teenage girls from communities of color in photography. Dalia could relate to these young teenage girls. Wishing that programming like this existed when they first took interest in art as a kid. Being able to guide and expose these young girls to the arts was wholesome and fulfilling.

Dalia is a multidisciplinary artist who grew up in Echo Park before it was gentrified. They use their art to advocate for social injustices. To empower the youth of future generations to find their creative voices. To highlight untold stories from their community through collaborative art.

Dalia’s current art addresses mental health challenges , social injustices, and navigating parenthood in this pandemic. In 2021, they began creating digital works on procreate which includes a range of drawings and collages. They often use aerosol paint, gouache, acrylic paint, chalk pastels, and color pencils. Their creations are mixed media, colorful, multilayered, textural, and animated. The materials they use are also upcycled and repurposed.