SIP INTERVIEW ON INSTAGRAM by Ariana Bindman, Tenderloin Museum, April 23rd, 2020

For artist Patricia Araujo, it only felt natural to render a drawing of Pacifica, “the Statue of Liberty of the West,” during a time of crisis. Sculpted by artist Ralph Stackpole in 1939 for the Golden Gate International Exposition at Treasure Island, the 80-foot statue symbolizes a moment of unity, prosperity, and strength. “The [drawings] themselves do not connect to actual concern with the virus, but I am bringing back a scene about world peace,” Araujo says. “Pacifica was the theme statue of the exposition, a monumental goddess standing at her court. She symbolizes peace and the power of a unified Pacific coast, Pacific unity; the celebration of the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate Bridges opening; and countries coming together to bring innovation of their own cultures through art, and architecture, music, and dance…[She celebrates] a magic city.”
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Despite that Pacifica was demolished after the fair ended in 1940, Araujo is celebrating her 80th anniversary by continuing to draw her—and reflecting on what she symbolizes. “It’s important to create during uncertainty. It’s hard to concentrate on creating a body of work: you’re either really there creating, or it comes in moments when you have more tranquility and when you're trying to salvage the fire.”

  Dreaming Pacifica, 14" x 12.5", graphite on paper, by Patricia Araujo, 2020.