Crystal Latimer

Beautiful, saturated, colors, textures, and patterns exploring history and cultural relations are just the beginning of how we might describe the work of Crystal Latimer. She used color and pattern to entice the viewer and explore the background of Latin America.

Crystal Latimer completed her BFA at Slippery Rock University in 2010; she went to receive an MA and MFA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2013 and 2016, respectively. After graduating, Crystal taught several courses at Penn State New Kensington and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney and has lectured at Slippery Rock University and Carlow University.

Crystal's work has been shown extensively in both solo and group exhibitions, including at the Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, Chautauqua Institution, The Mine Factory, George Washington University, and Union Hall among others. She has shown her work in Hong Kong, China, South Bank, London, as well as participated in a residency at the Joaquin Chaverri Fabrica de Carretas in Sarchi, Costa Rica. Crystal's work has been featured in Create!, Pikchur, Local Arts PGH, Art Maze, Ruminate, and Fresh Paint Magazines. Her work is included in both public and private collections including those of Indiana State University of Pennsylvania, PNC Corporate, the Benter Foundation, and Wyndham Tryp Hotel.

Crystal is currently a full-time painter represented by BoxHeart Gallery and Studio Director at Radiant Hall Susquehanna. She serves on the Board of Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and her work is currently on view at Union Hall and BoxHeart Gallery in Pittsburgh, PA.

Crystals work explores visual and cultural relationships and conflicts between Western and Latin American culture.

She shares some thoughtful insight to her work:

I stood at a Wal-Mart in Escazú, Costa Rica, and felt like I was experiencing that moment in late autumn when you realize that all the fiery reds and oranges have faded and fallen to the ground. My life had been a staccato of visits to my mother’s native Costa Rica and, in that second, I realized that I was witnessing the dilution of a vibrant culture… Utilizing the connotations of mixed-media, my work considers Latin America’s enduring role as “colony” to the West and the subsequent hybrid identity that has been adopted by the region. By reinterpreting important historical paintings, I am able to expand upon the propagandist concepts of the original works to include modern-day understanding of culture and history.

You definitely want to see more of her work and read more about it! Find Crystal online and on Instagram