Gina M. Contreras - "Amor Secreto"

Secrets are complex. They teeter between the cherished and the concealed, between tenderness and shame. San Francisco-based artist Gina M. Contreras delves into the emotional turmoil of being a hidden lover in her solo exhibition Amor Secreto at Hashimoto Contemporary. Through lush, velvety colors and intricate patterns, Contreras unveils a new series of self-portraits that poignantly capture the loneliness of secrecy. These works reveal the layered nuances of intimate relationships, underscoring the complexity of what it means to be kept in the shadows.

Contreras infuses her paintings with personal mementos—trinkets, fabrics, and religious icons that decorate the 20th-century trim of her apartment. In Gina la Cochina, the artist portrays herself nude in her bedroom, surrounded by provocative imagery: a reproduction of Isoda Koryusai’s print The Orgy, tiny dolls caught in erotic acts, and a vivid red devil figure hover above her, nodding to the playful nickname given to her, Gina La Cochina, or, “Gina the dirty one.” Meanwhile, Something More Than Has Already juxtaposes a tiger San Marcos Cobija and floral patterns on her bed as a faceless man gently touches her body. The scene is framed by paintings of religious male-female dynamics, subtly exploring superstitions and themes of secrecy and unspoken affection.

Contreras’s subjects—herself and a recurring male figure—serve as both personal reflections and symbols of broader romantic patterns. The male figure sometimes appears realistic, caressing the artist in bed as she gazes at the ceiling, and other times as an imagined, almost childlike being, cradled in her arms. While these works depict feelings of sadness and isolation, moments of humor persist, such as the mustachioed baby-man in Wrong Way Loverboy. Each piece is a testament to vulnerability, balancing the weight of loneliness with a touch of irreverence, offering a window into the shared intricacies of the human experience.