NADA Miami 2022

Exaggerated characters with elf ears combined with symbols like weapons are used by the artist to address mysticism, satirise the witch stereotype, or uncover meanings behind objects. Despite their evil nature, her villainous characters also enjoy comfort. Her work falls into satire-horror tropes, especially when reconciling trauma, colonialism and Black femininity. Cruz’s portraits possess an otherworldly quality, their neon colours evoking traffic lights as well as sunrises and sunsets over Lake Michigan. In her role as a guide and storyteller, she believes discussing history is important. However, even more so is ensuring their survival. –Vanessa Murrell, DAZED