Biography

Verónica Escalante, born in San Diego, California, in 1987, is a multidisciplinary artist specializing in visual arts and poetry. With a background in anthropology, her work integrates these mediums to explore themes of resilience, transformation, and the interconnectedness of life and loss. Escalante's artistic practice is deeply influenced by her personal experiences, particularly her exploration of grief and healing following experiences of abuse.

As the Founding Executive Director of the SHARE Foundation, she has dedicated over twelve years to facilitating expressive arts therapies and collaborative art practices that empower diverse international communities. Through her work with 89 partner organizations across more than 90 countries, Escalante has impacted over 300,000 individuals, fostering connection and dialogue through shared artistic experiences.

Her recent solo exhibition, “Words That Give Life,” exemplifies her commitment to using art as a catalyst for change. In this exhibition, she examines the dualities of existence, inviting participants to engage with their own stories of resilience. Verónica believes that artistic practice can serve as a space where personal narratives intertwine with broader societal issues, fostering community and encouraging reflection.

Artist Statement

Five years ago, a heart inside me stopped beating. On the day I began to experience a miscarriage, I felt compelled to write a poem, which I then integrated into a series of paintings focused on Genesis—the beginning of life—which also acknowledges the realities of death and loss. I transformed each letter into a heartbeat, as seen on an electrocardiogram, to symbolize the heart that ceased within me. Since that moment, my artistic practice has woven poetry into my abstract art, creating a profound interplay between the two.

Through this process, I explore the paradoxes of our existence, emphasizing resilience, transformation, and the creation of new life inspired by nature. Each layer of paint serves as a metaphor for the complexity and depth of human experiences, inviting viewers to reflect on their own journeys of healing. By representing the verses of my poems as heartbeats within my work, I weave together narratives of connection and resilience, allowing art to become a catalyst for change—a space where reflection occurs and individuals can connect with their own voices.