Toria Maldonado
(they/them)
Toria Maldonado is an illustrator, painter, and screen printer from Long Beach, California. Their work challenges both conservative and neoliberal ideas of gender and sexuality by centering non-binary and gender non-conforming identity and expression. Inspired by femme punk anarchism, they create prints, design apparel, and make art in response to current social and economic issues. They often use bold imagery and text in their graphic illustrations; other times, paint intimate portraits with symbolic motifs collaged throughout the work. In their practice, they’ve learned to use many creative tools to deal with both personal and communal struggles.
In 2019, they received their Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art from California State University, of Long Beach. Their work has been exhibited in Long Beach Museum of Art’s Juried Photography Exhibition, South Gate Museum’s Flowers For You – Flores para ti exhibition, and Plaza de la Raza’s Invocando Autonomia/Invoking Autonomy exhibition. They have worked with organizations like Social and Public Art Resource Center, Nalgona Positivity Pride, Chicxs Rockerxs SELA, and Mi Centro (located at the LA LGBT Center). Currently, they are collaborating with the owners of Plantiitas, a Long Beach based queer Latinx plant shop, by hosting community events and selling art prints and merchandise.