Yigsy Magaly, also known as "Kat," is a Salvadorian-American artist born in El Salvador and raised in New Jersey. Initially drawn to photorealistic portraiture, Yigsy has evolved her style, embracing minimalistic aesthetics to challenge artistic norms.
Yigsy’s Blanxs series reimagines the role of traditional portraiture. By deliberately omitting facial expressions, Yigsy shifts the focus to the expressive power of body language, posture, and the interplay of bold lines and vibrant colors. This intentional simplicity invites viewers to step into an abstract emotional space where feelings are communicated through visual cues rather than words or facial features.
By immersing her figures in an imagined space, Yigsy crafts an emotional narrative that feels timeless and universal. Her art bridges the gap between reality and imagination, offering a space where viewers can engage with their own emotions and experiences, guided by the expressive power of her designs.
A graduate of Mason Gross School of the Arts, Yigsy’s work has been showcased in group exhibitions and art fairs across NJ and NY. Most recently, she has expanded her practice by collaborating with brands and having her art featured in Newark Airport’s newly built Terminal A.
CV
Education:
(2020) - Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, BFA
Solo Exhibitions:
2024: “Abstraction of the Human Mind”, Two-person exhibition collaboration with Angel Duran, The Herb + Milly Iris Gallery, South Orange, NJ
2019: “Closed & Exposed”, at Mason Gross Galleries - New Brunswick, NJ
2018: “Just a Thought”, at Mason Gross Galleries - New Brunswick, NJ
2017: “Warm but Cool Tones " , at Mason Gross Galleries - New Brunswick, NJ
2016: “Intro to Kat”, at Mason Gross Galleries - New Brunswick, NJ
Group Exhibitions:
2025 - Love Is The Remedy, at Buds & Blooms - Englewood, NJ
2024 - The Big Small Show 2024, The Terrarium Gallery & The Alcove Gallery at Drawing Rooms - Jersey City, NJ
2024 - NCJW/Essex Gala 2024 Art Show, Private Event - Livingston, NJ
2024 - Kaleidoscope Hispanica, at Pierro Gallery - South Orange, NJ
2024 - Red 7, at Perth Amboy Gallery - Perth Amboy, NJ
2024 - Vibrant Melodies, at Buds & Blooms - Englewood, NJ
2024 - Static Motion, at Art 150 Gallery - Jersey City, NJ
2024 - Diaspora, at Perth Amboy Gallery - Perth Amboy, NJ
2024 - Underground Armoire, at Sour Mouse LES - New York, NY
2023 - The WAE Open 2023 Heidi Gallery at JSDD - Livingston, NJ
2023 - Art Fair 14C Liberty State Park - Jersey City, NJ
2023 - Consumed by Creativity, Electrical Jungle - Jersey City, NJ
2023 - Behind City Walls Caelum Gallery - Chelsea, NY
2023 - Unfamiliar Faces, Showcase in collaboration with Angel Duran, OneRiver Art School - Clark, NJ
2023 - High Thoughts The Green Room - Englewood, NJ
2023 - The Bititis, Carter Fine Art Services - Montclair, NJ
2023 - Love Hurts, at UGLYSTUDIO. - Leonia, NJ
2023 - Curtain Call, at Mason Gross Galleries - New Brunswick, NJ
2022 - UGLY STUDIO., at UGLYSTUDIO. - Leonia, NJ
2022 - A Breathe of Fresh Air, at Buds & Blooms - Englewood, NJ
2021 - Unrequited!, at Caelum Gallery - Chelsea, NY
2021 - Layers, David Dupuy Gallery - Manhattan, NY
2021 - The Crowd, 7House Gallery - Brooklyn, NY
2020 - Windows of Understanding Projects of New Brunswick Community Arts Council - New Brunswick, NJ
2019 - Vision for the Future, at Mason Gross Galleries - New Brunswick, NJ
2019 - A Burden To Bare - Ridgewood, NY
2019 - “Untitled”, Showcase in collaboration with Angel Duran, at Mason Gross Galleries - New Brunswick, NJ
2019 - The Blacker The Berry Exhibition, Busch Student Center - Piscataway, NJ
2019 - Up In The Clouds at GSAH - New Brunswick, NJ
2018 - Onwards and Upwards, at Mason Gross Galleries - New Brunswick
2017 - Between Either & Or at Mason Gross - New Brunswick, NJ
2016 - William Paterson Art Show at William Paterson Gallery - Wayne, NJ
Exhibitions Curated:
2019 - Vision for the Future at Mason Gross Galleries, New Brunswick
2019 - Up In The Clouds at GSAH, New Brunswick, NJ
Recognition/Awards:
2019 - Scarlet Promise Grant, at Rutgers University
2019 - Distinguished Scholar Award, at Rutgers University
2019 - Ruth Crocket Art, at Rutgers University
2018 - Ruth Crocket Art, at Rutgers University
2016 - Best Painting Award, at William Paterson University
Select Publications
https://canvasrebel.com/?post_types=&s=yigsymagaly
https://montclairlocal.news/venue/sopac/
https://www.sopacnow.org/events/abstraction-of-the-human-mind/
https://jcitytimes.com/static-motion-at-gallery-14c/
https://www.bokeh.show/yigsy-magaly
