Unknown Ancestors: New Work by Uli Smith

ARTHOUSE on R is proud to present the solo art exhibition Unknown Ancestors, featuring new acrylic work by Sacramento muralist, Uli Smith.

The vibrant and saturated colors of Unknown Ancestors pays homage to Uli’s grandmother, a Mexican immigrant, no longer with us, but who is still a large influence on the art Uli makes and the concepts she explores within it. While spending a large portion of her childhood in her grandmother’s care, Uli’s creativity was fostered and influenced by her grandmother’s deep love for nature.

Uli believes her family’s American assimilation created a barrier to her ancestral culture that she continues to grapple with today. She finds herself using her art as an attempt to build a bridge and make a deeper connection with her Mexican heritage. The images from this collection are from photo references of Uli’s travels within Mexico.

Uli is a Sacramento-based acrylic painter and muralist who was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a self-taught artist and aspires for her art to have a positive effect on people, uplift moods, and energize souls. She holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of San Francisco and believes in the capacity for art to heal people and spaces. Uli’s inspiration stems from the vibrancy and healing qualities of the natural world. Her artwork pays tribute to our environment and serves as a reminder to reconnect with and protect nature.