Collection: I Used To Hate This City

This collection embodies a celebration of self-empowerment, rage, persistence, triumph, perspective and resilience. It explores the evolution of the artist’s relationship with the city of Hamilton over the course of the past year as it shifted from Love, to Hate, back to Love again. These themes coincide with what LaCaria has experienced on her personal journey but also touch upon LaCaria’s observations of the City during recent times of gentrification, isolation and political change.

These paintings began as self-portraits that have since been covered with layers of acrylic, spray paint, coffee, and gold leaf to form abstracted depictions of Hamilton landmarks that are reminiscent of the new memories LaCaria has created in familiar places. 

The idea that both LaCaria’s previous and new-found sense of identity is strongly tied to various landmarks for the worse or the better is a relevant aspect of this collection and a reminder that while our environment may feel static and permanent, our minds and hearts are in a constant state of change and growth.