Valerie Camila (b.2002) is an emerging contemporary figurative oil painter and student from Southern Alberta. Currently based in Kingston, Ontario, she is pursuing her Honours BFA at Queen’s University.

Camila’s practice hinges on establishing profound connections between the subjects of her paintings. Using light to inform a narrative, the subjects of her work are infused with vitality— uncovering their woven idiosyncrasies. As a young queer Colombian-Canadian woman, Hispanic subjects take centre stage in her work. Capturing resiliency by exploring queer realities, femininity, intimacy, and self-realisation. Through a unique blend of brushwork, surreal motifs, and personal experiences, Camila uncovers the intricacies of human connection, revealing diverse manifestations of self and celebrating the power of affection.

Her work has been featured in galleries across Canada and the United States, including the Southern Alberta Art Gallery in Alberta, the Union Gallery and Modern Fuel Galleries in Ontario, Gallery 4%, and the TERAVARNA Galleries in California. Camila’s works have also been featured in international publications, like Suboart, Ultraviolet, and MUSE Magazines. Camila was the recipient of the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant in 2023.