Angelica Contreras is a Latinx artist who explores the multi-layered relationships between identity, tradition, and popular culture. Growing up in the US and Mexico provided a rich palette of imagery for Contreras. Within her artwork, there is an element of nostalgia present in its layers; sometimes reminiscent of childhood, adolescence or tying in specific cultural references and traditions. Contreras incorporates the mediums of acrylic and oil painting and techniques of collage into her artwork, creating a rich palette of colors and textures. Her use of materials is as calculated as it is serendipitous, resulting in unusual cultural combinations and visual compositions. Her work acts as a bridge between various communities and cultures while reflecting her own life experiences.

Contreras was born in Whittier, California and moved to Guadalajara, Jalisco at an early age. She attended the University of Guadalajara, receiving a B.A. in art in 2008 and a Masters in Art Education in 2016. Her artwork has been shown in exhibitions in Mexico and the U.S., including “Caja de Visiones” at Madison Museum of Contemporary Art and “The Hidden Faces/ Los Rostros Ocultos” at Latino Arts Inc in Milwaukee. Contreras was a recipient of the Forward Art Prize in 2020, an annual award targeted to support the work of female artists in Dane County. She currently lives and works in Madison, Wisconsin, where she continues to create and showcase her art.