LYNN — First and foremost, Lynn resident Elisha Torres is an artist. Centering much of her life around art and creativity, Torres has demonstrated that she is no stranger to a paint brush — or telling a story through her visuals.
Torres’ art style merges realism with surrealism, frequently showcasing lifelike figures within imaginative or unreal environments. While her college courses often involve students working in brighter, clearer environments, Torres gravitates toward a darker, high-contrast atmosphere. One of Torres’ artistic inspirations is Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, an Italian Baroque painter recognized for his realistic style and dramatic compositions. Her most recent self-portraits, particularly a double self-portrait, are some of her favorite pieces to date. These pieces showcase her artistic development, technical proficiency, and developing artistic expression.
As an Afro-Dominican and the child of immigrants, Torres explores both personal and political themes in her work. Torres’ self-portraits feature her natural hair, symbolizing pride and identity. Torres’ art also confronts issues such as immigration, ICE, and the rise of fascism in America.
“I try to paint what I see. And what I see right now is dangerous. Our tax dollars are funding the rise in ICE raids, and it’s also supporting a genocide in Palestine,” Torres said. “Taking the time to document what’s happening feels important to me because art can be a powerful vehicle for change, even in the smallest ways”
Torres always had a passion for the arts — even as a child, drawing on the walls at home. This interest deepened in middle school, leading to her involvement in the art club at KIPP, and with Raw Art Works, when she was a junior in high school. This youth arts organization, founded on art therapy, champions the belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and have their story told. It provides various free programs, from painting to filmmaking, for children in grades 4-12. This resource helped make Torres more confident in her work, and she recalled it being one of the safest places she’d ever been in.
“It’s an art therapy organization, so they were able to help students find their identities.” Torres said.
As far as people that have mentored or helped Torres throughout her art journey, a good handful of them come from Raw Art Works. Director of Culture and Experience Jason Cruz, Project Launch Senior Manager Kaitlyn Farmer, Program Lead Michael Aghahowa, Clinical Director Alison Miller, and Senior Expressive Art Therapist Helen Danz are some of the people Torres would find helpful during her time at the organization.
“Even if it was a short-period of time, they all kind of hold a piece of me that I find really important,” Torres said. “One of my instructors from Raw, Jason Cruz, told me that I need to get my work up. To be on a wall… work bigger. Because my work is very skilled and well done. I have trouble sharing my opinions a lot, so I share my opinions and express myself through art. He has encouraged that and always told me to keep going.”
Beyond Raw Art Works, Torres received support and encouragement from her art teachers at KIPP, who provided a space for artistic freedom. Torres also credits her sister, Shelis Torres, as a mentor who is assisting her throughout university and is her biggest supporter.
As a member of Artists in Action, a civic engagement group in Raw Art Works that uses art to create social change and positively impact the local community, Torres has participated in several community-based projects. A couple of which include working on The Lynn Community Fridge during her senior year and painting stones for the garden of SPUR, a Marblehead-based nonprofit organization.
Torres’ work has been exhibited in several shows, including the Pride Art Show at the Lynn Museum, which concludes this month. Other exhibitions include the Foundation Drawing: The Legacy of John Wilson exhibition at Boston University and the Black History Month exhibition at the Lynn Gallery in February.
Now, Torres continues on as her work will be featured at Inc.ubate Coworking’s free, public event “Lynn Gallery Night” on Oct. 30 from 6-9 p.m. The exhibit will showcase works by Torres, as well as local artists Michael Aghahowa, Jah’nyah Spencer, and Gabriela Moreno.
“I haven’t done something quite like this,” Torres said. “It’s less artists, and I get to put my work up without any fees and sell my work without any commission being taken so that’s new to me.”
Beyond graduating, Torres has established both long-term and short-term goals. Her long-term aspirations include exhibiting their work in prominent Boston museums such as the MFA or ICA. For the short term, Torres aims to refine their artistic skills, explore new art forms, and build confidence as both an artist and a student. Another long-term goal Torres hopes to achieve is to create her own mural. Last summer, Torres worked with fellow KIPP graduate Sal Castillo on Aghahowa’s “Affirmations to my Community” mural which was made in collaboration with SPUR, and now Torres has their sight on creating her own large-scale public mural made entirely by herself.
“I express myself best through my art,” Torres said.
