Luis De Jesus Los Angeles is pleased to announce Karla Diaz: Mal de ojo (Evil eye), a series of vibrant self-portraits, on view in Gallery 3 from September 13 to October 25, 2025. An opening reception will be held Saturday, September 13, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Karla Diaz: Mal de ojo (Evil eye) presents a series of self-portraits that delve into the many facets of her identity, from familial bonds and cultural heritage to her alter egos, and with them, her fears, hopes, and dreams. Employing watercolor on paper and acrylic on canvas, the artist transforms the genre of self-portraiture into a powerful space of storytelling and collective memory—an invitation to see identity as both deeply individual and inherently shared.

Known for her kaleidoscopic storytelling and richly layered compositions that blend Mexican and American vernacular and pop cultural influences, Diaz continues to expand her exploration of the complexities of identity. The exhibition’s title, Mal de ojo (Evil eye), references a cross-cultural superstition of a malicious gaze believed to bring harm or misfortune. Diaz reinterprets this folklore as a need for both self and communal protection. Through surreal, dreamlike imagery and a vibrant color palette, she reflects on the power of vulnerability, introspection, and the shared strength of community.

Diaz’s self-portraits depict more than just herself or state of being; her choices of color, clothing, objects, and backgrounds chronicle a collective unconscious shaped by cultural iconography, humor, superstition, familial traditions, current affairs, and a myriad of dynamics that shape Latinx experiences.

While evoking cheerfulness and joy with vivid washes of color, Diaz also invites deeper reflection. Her work challenges viewers to consider how we see ourselves, how we see one another, and the delicate lines connecting the personal, social, and political.