Sahuarita Library invites you to an exhibit by local artists Emma Sezzi and Adriana Walker, on display until September 27, 2024.
Artist statement:
Emma Sezzi was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1937. Her father was an accomplished screen writer who wrote several well known plays during that era. In 1959 she, along with her husband and two-year-old daughter, immigrated to Southern California to escape political chaos in her country. There, she embarked on a new life continuing to pursue her dream of becoming an artist and theater actress. However, the responsibility of raising children, now two, put those plans on hold. In 1978, with her children grown, she and her husband moved to Northern California where she became part of the art community, performing in several plays and managing the Lassen County Council for the Arts. Emma became an accomplished batik and stained glass artist and began to work closely with her daughter Adriana, a recognized watercolor and mixed media artist. In 1996, she and her husband retired from the concrete business beginning a new chapter in life involving sailing and traveling throughout the world. In 2011 her husband passed away and she moved to Tucson, Arizona where her daughter lived. Emma began to explore the art of painting using a method called “liquid acrylic pouring” also described as “fluid art” or “liquid art.” Liquid acrylic pouring incorporates different pigments which are manipulated on the canvas to create unique shapes, sometimes abstract, sometimes recognizable. When asked why she was drawn to this medium, Emma stated: “There are endless creative possibilities due to the different ways of combining acrylic paints, resin, mixed media and there’s something so satisfying about watching it spill across a surface.” What began as a side hobby has now turned into a full-time endeavor. She loves to create and share what she has learned with others and collaborates regularly with her daughter who designs jewelry. She also finds great joy in teaching art as well as working with Hispanic immigrants seeking citizenship status by holding weekly classes to prepare them for the USA citizenship test. At 85 she never looks back but always forward to her next challenge. Emma continues to live in Tucson with her dog Cashew and her daughter and son-in-law.
Adriana Walker was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and moved to Southern California at an early age. Raised in a family that encouraged her to value the arts, she has been involved with various forms of artwork all her life. Her jewelry, fused glass and mixed media paintings exhibit a unique combination of texture, color and composition inspired by the intricacies of nature. She also derives much of her inspiration from the local desert scenery as well as her travels throughout the world. As a painter she describes herself as an experimenter who is fascinated by the endless possibilities of combining organic, sinuous shapes with patterns which results in taking her work in unusual and unpredictable directions. Her unique artisan jewelry designs may combine elegance, whimsy or unique elements like detailed seed embroidery, textures, or fused glass cabachons. On occasion she incorporates vintage or antique pendants. Currently she resides in Tucson, AZ with her husband Jerry, cockatoo Tuky and cat, Chula. Adriana's artwork can be found in galleries and private collections throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Argentina.
