Cynthia Acuña, a visual artist from Asunción, Paraguay, has made her mark in the art world, now living and creating in the dynamic city of Dubai, UAE, since 2016. Her artistic journey began at the Instituto Superior de Arte at the prestigious Universidad Nacional de Asunción, where she first honed her creative skills. During her time in Paraguay, Cynthia actively participated in numerous group exhibitions, showcasing her work at respected venues like the Centro Cultural de España Juan de Salazar and Centro Cultural Manzana de la Rivera.
A transformative moment in her academic life came when Cynthia was awarded a scholarship for an exchange semester at the Universidad de Playa Ancha in Valparaíso, Chile, through the AUGM (Asociación de Universidades Grupo Montevideo). This opportunity opened her eyes to new artistic perspectives and fueled her passion for experimenting with different techniques.
In 2022, Cynthia proudly graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Arts from the University of Southern Queensland in Australia. This academic achievement marked a pivotal moment in her artistic evolution. Today, her work reflects a deep commitment to self-exploration, drawing inspiration from her dream journaling practice. Cynthia meticulously records her dreams, translating these nocturnal visions into striking mixed-media drawings.
Her latest series, Into the Land of Morpheus, uses a blend of colored pencils, acrylic paint, and watercolors to explore the subconscious. Through this collection, Cynthia invites viewers to take an introspective journey into the mysterious realms of the mind. Her art practice bridges creativity and personal discovery, showcasing the transformative power of art in connecting the spirit and the creative process.
In this interview, a visual artist shares insights into their journey and thoughts on her work. The following conversation reveal more about her background, artistic influences, and the unique cultural connections she brings through her work.
1. Could you share your journey as an artist and what brought you from Paraguay to the UAE?
I was born in Asunción, Paraguay, where I grew up in a family of accountants. Art wasn’t initially seen as a career path for me, but during a high school exchange year in the U.S.A., my inspiring art teacher, Mrs. McDonald, encouraged me to pursue my passion for art. A semester in Chile further sparked my love for traveling and exploring different cultures. I later went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Arts from the University of Southern Queensland in Australia. And naturally, when a job opportunity in Dubai came my way, I took it with no hesitation. I believe that traveling has profoundly shaped my artistic journey and that every city I have lived in and visited contributes positively to my art.
2. How has living in the UAE influenced your creative process and artistic style?
Living in the UAE has been transformative for my creativity, it has allowed me to be exposed to diverse cultural narratives, enriching my perspective as an artist. The country’s multicultural environment constantly inspires me, offering a dynamic mix of traditions, modernity, and stories from around the world. This richness fuels my artistic expression, encouraging me to explore bolder ideas and incorporate diverse themes.
3. Are there any aspects of Paraguayan culture that you incorporate into your work?
Yes, Paraguayan culture influences my work in subtle but meaningful ways. The vivid colors and intricate patterns of traditional Paraguayan crafts, like Ñandutí lace and Filigrana silverwork occasionally find their way into my compositions, connecting my heritage to the themes I’m currently working with. Additionally, the medicinal herbs and plants used to prepare Tereré, the cold herbal infusion beloved in Paraguay and drank with Yerba mate, are often represented in my art. These come from memories of my mother telling me about their different properties and health benefits as she is very passionate about plants and grows many of them in our garden back home. These interests and memories offer a visual dialogue between my heritage and the themes I explore in my work with dream journaling for introspection.
4. What are some of the main themes or messages you aim to convey through your art?
My work revolves around the power of dreams, themes of introspection, healing, and personal growth are central to my art. Using a visualization technique called dream alchemy, I explore how even unsettling dreams can be reimagined into positive and empowering narratives. Also, nature and animals are often represented in my art, reflecting my passion for the natural world and the effect of the environment on our inner worlds. Together with a recurring female figure as a reflection of myself, making my work inherently autobiographical. I combine these elements to inspire viewers to explore their own inner worlds, embrace transformation, and uncover meaning in life’s subtleties.
5. How would you describe the art scene in the UAE, and what has been your experience engaging with it?
The UAE art scene is very dynamic, new opportunities and events are constantly emerging alongside the well-established yearly events, exhibitions and festivals. What truly stands out to me is the innovation showcased in these cultural events as well as the value of cross-cultural dialogues.
6. Have you collaborated with other artists or participated in exhibitions here? If so, which experiences stood out?
As an artist, I am in the early stages of my journey within the UAE art scene. My first significant milestone came in 2021 when Elevision Media featured my work on their digital screens. Recently, I had my first exhibition at the Chaka Art Community located at the Ana Liz Cordero Art Gallery in the Al Fahidi Historical Neighborhood. Both experiences were incredibly rewarding, not only for the exposure but also for the connections I made within the art community. These opportunities have fueled my ambition to further explore and contribute to the UAE’s flourishing creative landscape.
As far as collaborating with other artists I have started a conversation for a collaboration project that made me truly happy and hopefully will come through.
7. In what ways do you think art serves as a bridge between Paraguayan and Emirati cultures?
Art serves as a universal language that connects even the most geographically distant cultures. After a first glance, is evident that both Paraguay and the UAE share a profound respect for tradition and heritage, which shows in the value both countries put in their traditional arts and crafts, their folklore. This translates as a shared value for the preservation of legacy and I believe in the importance of this.
8. What challenges or opportunities have you encountered as a Paraguayan artist in the UAE?
In the beginning, it was challenging for me, as I felt quite far from home and found myself without a support group. It seemed that Latin American culture was not as widely represented in this region, but it is growing. With time and experience, I started to find communities and make connections with other artists who try to help each other out. This changed my focus and I started to see this as an opportunity to introduce a fresh perspective and create unique cultural exchanges. Also, the UAE’s openness to diversity has made it an exciting place to develop my art career.
9. Can you tell us about any recent or upcoming projects that you are excited about?
At the beginning of the year, I had the privilege of participating in the International Association for the Study of Dreams Annual Conference both as an attendee and as an artist. This experience was rewarding on so many levels, it recharged my spirit to continue my explorations of making art inspired by my dreams. Currently, I am working on a body of work where I explore the Gulf region’s environmental landscape and cityscapes through a dream-like lens. I have wanted to create this series for a long time, every time I explore a new place in the UAE and other neighboring countries I keep revisiting different connections, visual metaphors and ideas both awake and in dreams that I think will be quite interesting to discuss with audiences here.
10. Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring artists from Latin America looking to establish themselves in the Middle East?
Be open to learning and embracing a new cultural context while staying true to your roots. I believe that authenticity and innovation are valued here, so find ways to connect your Latin American heritage with the local narratives and share your unique perspective. Lastly, networking and engaging with the art community through exhibitions, fairs, and workshops can open doors and be inspiring experiences for growth.
