yosdy valdivia
Yosdy Valdivia (b. August 12, 1998, Texas) is a visual artist known for her evocative paintings and dreamlike landscapes. She holds a BFA from Sul Ross State University, and began developing her career in Presidio, Texas.
Valdivia lives and works in Presidio, where she runs her own space, Galeria Raices. Her work has been exhibited in the U.S. and internationally, including shows in Mexico, Belgium (The Color of the Sage, 2022), and Austria (Memories of Life and Death, 2023). She has also created public murals along the U.S.–Mexico border in Presidio and Ojinaga.
Her paintings explore themes of longing, uncertainty, and fate through fluid, abstract imagery that captures the fleeting beauty of emotion and perception.
Artist Statement
My work explores the complex, often unspoken emotions that define the human experience—emotions like sadness, longing, nostalgia, and the beauty that can be found even in moments of darkness. Through abstract and expressionist painting, I aim to evoke feelings that are difficult to put into words, capturing the essence of what it means to navigate both personal and universal struggles. Drawing inspiration from my own life and the world around me, I delve into themes that are deeply introspective, yet connected to the broader human condition.While influenced by the raw energy and intensity of German Expressionism, my approach is contemporary, incorporating both oil and acrylic to create layers of texture and depth that invite the viewer to engage on an emotional level. I embrace the power of darkness, using it not as something to be feared, but as a space where beauty and truth often emerge.I am deeply influenced by Mexican culture, yet my work is more about expressing the emotional landscape of the moment—reflecting what it feels like to be alive in a world that is constantly shifting. I don't seek to make overt political statements, but rather to touch on the personal stories and collective feelings that shape us all. My hope is that viewers, particularly those who take the time to engage with my work, will be able to sense and feel the unspoken language of my paintings, understanding not just what I am expressing, but what they themselves may be experiencing in response.The foundation of my practice was shaped by my studies at Texas State University, where I was encouraged to explore not just technique, but the deeper meaning of painting itself—what it can convey beyond the surface and how it can be used to connect, communicate, and transform. Later, at Sul Ross State University, my style began to evolve into a more personal narrative, rooted in lived experiences and the landscapes—both physical and emotional—that have defined my journey. There, I delved into themes of identity, memory, and cultural heritage, allowing intuition and storytelling to guide my hand as much as formal training.