Artist Statement / Bio
Isabella Cruz-Chong is a Brooklyn-based interdisciplinary artist, designer, and educator. Her artwork usually consists of videos and installations that use raw materials (such as dirt and water) and sound vibrations. Isabella grew up crossing the international border between Tijuana, Mexico, and San Diego, California; and through her artwork she has sought ways to blur and ease boundaries—both physical and emotional—to heal generational trauma and reframe my identity. Inspired by personal intimate experiences and spirituality, she attempts to foster self-awareness of her capacity to change as well as her connection with nature.
Cruz-Chong’s work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions, including The Fifth AIM Biennial at The Bronx Museum of the Arts, Bronx, NY (2021-2022); A.I.R. Gallery, Brooklyn, NY (2019); Carlsbad Museum, Carlsbad, NM (2018); Mana Wynwood Art Week, Miami, FL (2017); El Museo del Barrio, New York, NY (2017), New York Immigrant Coalition, New York, NY (2017); Memorial Union Gallery, Fargo, ND (2016); Smack Mellon, Brooklyn, NY (2016) and SXSW, Austin, TX (2015). She was a mentee at NYFA Immigrant Artist Program, an artist in residence at Smack Mellon as a Van Lier Fellow, a member of the Artist in the Marketplace program at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, and received an A.I.R. Gallery fellowship. Isabella received her MFA from Parsons School of Design and her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.