Erika Haydee
Erika Haydee is a Mexican, self-taught artist based in Houston, Texas, working in abstract mixed-media painting. Her work combines different materials to create textured surfaces with layers, cracks, folds, and sculptural relief. She often uses black, gray, and gold, exploring the relationship between light, shadow, and texture. Her series Materia en Silencio and Transmutación explore unity, transformation, and the movement from darkness into light. By bringing contrasting elements together, she expresses her hope for connection and peace while allowing each material to retain its own qualities.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am a Mexican artist based in Houston, Texas. I am self-taught, and my work focuses on abstract mixed media. I returned to art at the age of 46. Since then, I have developed my practice through experimentation, learning directly from the materials and the process of creating each piece. Texture and relief have become central to my work. I explore layers, cracks, and folds, often using black, gray, and gold. My series Materia en Silencio and Transmutación reflect this ongoing exploration. My journey into the art world is still developing. I continue to create, build my portfolio, and seek opportunities to share my work with a wider audience.”
What inspires you?
“I am inspired by bringing together people and things that are completely different, from different backgrounds and ways of thinking. Through my materials, I can bring two very different elements together in one piece. For me, this represents the possibility of connection between people, even when they see or experience the world differently. That union expresses my hope for peace. My work also explores moving from darkness into light. Both ideas are connected: finding a way toward light and creating a sense of unity while allowing differences to remain.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I explore themes of unity, peace, and the movement from darkness into light. By bringing different materials together, I express the possibility of connection between people with different backgrounds and ways of thinking. Each element keeps its own qualities while becoming part of the same piece. The message behind my work is one of hope: that differences can coexist and that coming together can create a path toward peace.”
How would you describe your work?
“I would describe my work as abstract mixed media with a strong emphasis on texture and relief. I build surfaces with layers, cracks, and folds, giving each piece a three-dimensional quality. I often work with black, gray, and gold, exploring how light and shadow reveal the details of the surface. Bringing different materials together is central to my work, both visually and as an expression of unity.”
Which artists influence you most?
“An artist I deeply admire is Francisco Toledo. I admire his art, his simplicity, his generosity, and his commitment to his community, especially his support for Indigenous cultures. I am drawn to the imagination in his paintings and the way he brought together different traditions, materials, and forms to create his own visual language. Although my work is different from his, I find inspiration in both his creativity and his example as a person. His dedication to making art and culture accessible to others is something I greatly respect.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process begins with an idea of what I want to paint. Before starting, I write down what the piece means to me. This gives me a clear sense of the concept I want to express. As I work, different aspects of the piece change. The painting itself begins to guide me, and I respond to what develops rather than following the original idea exactly. The meaning may gain new nuances along the way, but its essence remains the same. The finished piece can look different from what I first imagined while still expressing the central idea I wrote down at the beginning.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I believe an artist’s role in society is to create opportunities for people to connect, reflect, and see things from another perspective. Art can bring people with different backgrounds and ways of thinking together. Through my work, I hope to contribute a message of unity and peace. For me, art can be a meeting point where differences coexist. Looking ahead, I hope artists will become more involved in their communities and find more ways to make art accessible. I see this role growing beyond exhibitions, through shared experiences and projects that bring people closer together.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have participated in a few local exhibitions in Houston, Texas. In December 2026, my work Convergencia will be exhibited at Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello in Venice, Italy, as part of the 26th edition of the Venice International Art Fair.”
Website: ekoartstudio.com
Instagram: @eko_artstudio
