Lilly Agar
Lilly Agar makes art from her heart. Her detailed portraits confront the social issues of our time.
As part of our Artists profiles, we asked Lilly Agar a few questions to understand her journey as an artist, how COVID-19 has impacted her process, and what advice she would give her younger self
“To me, art is a bridge that brings my audience closer to social issues we should pay attention to.”
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born in a small city, located by the mid-west of the Gulf of Mexico, Tampico. Before my 15th birthday I moved to the beautiful mountains in Monterrey, in northeast Mexico. I was introduced to art from a very early age. In other words, art was part of me since I could grab a pencil. Unfortunately, in Mexico it is kind of hard to make it work as a female artist. That’s why I graduated as a Graphic Designer, because it was the only path I had to develop my creativity. Ironically, I was only creating for others and stopped drawing or painting for myself.
In my mid twenties, I started drawing again and because of the nomadic lifestyle I had, by living between Monterrey and Los Angeles, I decided to jump into digital art. My degree was already focused in digital graphic design, so it wasn’t a big change for me. In fact, it was exactly what I needed. But then, there was something else, the purpose. So I started my journey to take on issues that I had experience with, like Domestic Violence. I have had the fortune to find people who were interested in creating awareness through art, like the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles, because art to me is not just beautiful shapes and colors.
To me, art is a bridge that brings my audience closer to social issues we should pay attention to. In my work I celebrate the life of my subjects and invite other people who are in their shoes to know that they are not alone, to tell them that there is hope for a better life. I also seek to invite my audience to wander outside their comfort zone, to foster a dialogue on topics people prefer to avoid, because they think they are awkward or because they think it isn't related to them. I think if it's happening in our community, we should be talking about it and take action. So, in order to bring people along and remember this topic with a new light, I create experiences through mixed-media pieces, doing things like augmented reality or interactive light boxes. I am not a traditional artist, so why showcase my work in a traditional way?
Currently, I went back to school to pursue a degree in Social Work and eventually find a way to merge it with art.
What themes are you exploring through your work?
Social issues like domestic violence, gender equality, mental health in men and suicide prevention in the LGBTQ+ community.
How much time do you devote to creating a piece?
I work slow. I take my time because I like to think about details and make sure I deliver something very close to what I wanted originally, also to give some space for the surprises that time brings along.
Each project takes a couple of months to develop. This is because I want to tell stories about real people, and not just paint interesting faces. My work process goes from developing the concept to finding the right fit of individuals for the topic I take on. Then it’s a matter of logistics for the reference photos, recording the interviews I do of my subjects, doing the paintings, then the last touches on the pieces, depending how they will be showcased, and finally, the preparation of the art installations envisioned for the show. “That's a lot of work..!” Yeah, to me it’s not only about the portraits, it's to create an immersive experience. That means more work and that takes time. But it’s worth it.
How has this pandemic (COVID-19) reshaped your process?
The pandemic has given me many breaks and gifts. The lockdown in Los Angeles happened only six days before my solo show “New Perspective” in the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles, where I was taking on the subject of Domestic Violence. It left almost a year of work in stand-by and mixed feelings on my chest. Because, in a way, I wanted to share my work with my community, but not at the cost of their safety. I also paused another project I had just started, “Inner XY”, which has as its subject mental health in men and gender equality, since my subjects live in Los Angeles and I recently moved to Salt Lake City.
Instead of focusing on the things I couldn’t do I started to think about what I could do in the community I now live in. And this is how “A hug away” was born. Due to COVID-19 my interactions with people have been very limited, which means it’s even harder for me to find people to work with. Fortunately, I have started the process to develop this project with the support of my school and a local organization, where I seek to share about suicide prevention in the LGBTQ+ community. This project explores how related the issue is to religion in the heart of Utah, a state very well known for the big Mormon community.
So, in a way, COVID-19 has made things a bit more complicated for me, but I like challenges. Hopefully, once the pandemic is over, I will be able to showcase my work in a safe way with my audience in Los Angeles and in Salt Lake City. My goal is to bring people together through art, to find ways to support each other.
This pandemic has also enlightened me in ways I had not expected. It has given me time to create new paths for my art career, and has shown me the capability I have to find opportunities when everything seems to be shutting down. I am very grateful for the things I have and the things yet to come.
“Don’t forget to enjoy your craft and don’t be shy of your passionate way of being. It’s a gift!”
Any advice you would give to your younger self?
Dear younger self,
Listen to your gut and don’t accept less of what you are worth. Don’t forget to enjoy your craft and don’t be shy of your passionate way of being. It’s a gift! You don’t need to do what others do in order to succeed, you need to create based on your passion and on things that you find important to share. Believe in yourself, art will set you free of limiting beliefs and show you what the world is really made of.
I am proud of you, Lilian.
Written by Diane Lindquist