DEANNA BARAHONA


b. 1997, Los Angeles, California

My work centers my lived experiences, identity, and personal objects in intimate and domestic spaces through the creation of sculpture, installation, and photography. I look at the homes I grew up in and their objects that shape these interiors, specifically the characteristics within the Latin-American diaspora. I am interested in the colored walls, cartoons, plushies, written letters, and the abundance of archives and heirlooms that have been passed down and exchanged across households. I pay attention to the detailed forms of decoration that unite Southern California homes with the ones my family migrated from. 

I coined the term Cosmic Pop to describe the artistic fusion of 1990s/2000s Wacky Postmodernism (Wacky Pomo) with the rich aesthetics of Latin America. “Cosmic” signifies a connection to the cosmos embodying greatness and intensity as they intertwine with popular culture. Drawing from Wacky Pomo’s bold, almost acidic colors and playful rebellion against traditional visuals, I merge them with the lived vibrancy of Southern California and Latin-American domestic spaces. Cosmic Pop is the reinterpretation of everyday objects and cultural traditions, reclaiming and elevating them in a contemporary context. 

Through themes of collection, obsession, and symbolic expressions of love and romance, I explore how architecture, adornments, and objects within the diaspora document and transmit cultural heritage across generations. I see ornaments as a tool for healing, to fill the voids created by distance, separation, and time. My practice seeks to bridge cultural gaps by inviting viewers to engage with the vibrant aesthetics of Latin American homes while reflecting on how these traditions evolve and endure. .

Inquiries:
deannabarahona@gmail.com

Instagram: