Hedy Torres

I am Hedy Torres, an artist dedicated to shedding light on the experiences of immigrants in USA. Through my artistic practice, I endeavor to challenge prejudices and stereotypes that have historically marginalized immigrants, instead celebrating their invaluable contributions to Los Angeles. 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, crafting a visual journal of personal memories. In pieces featuring objects like tortilla makers or steel trays, the surface serves as an homage to the moment captured on it.