When Eden Gets an AR Upgrade: Oriana Pirela for Creativo

Oriana Pirela’s Art
Chiara Padejka
December 24, 2024
6 min read

Upon meeting Oriana at Creativo’s Adam and Eve soireé for Art Basel, I was
immediately drawn into her world. As I admired her colorful and textural work, she quickly ran
over, opened her phone, and held up the screen for me. As I peered through her camera, I saw
the background of her painting begin to swirl with clouds. Soon, other elements of the piece
began to bloom and move, creating a trippy kaleidoscope of augmented reality. Immediately
hooked by her unique installation at the party, I was excited to talk to her in depth about her
technological interpretation of the Garden of Eden. Oriana Pirela is not your average artist.
She’s the love child of classical painting and sci-fi dreams, with a sprinkle of glitter for good
measure.

With a body of work that connects traditional painting and cutting-edge technology,
Oriana captivated attendees with her vibrant, interactive pieces at Creativo’s party in Miami. At
the rooftop soirée, she unveiled interactive works that fused mythological themes with
augmented reality. Think Mona Lisa meets Blade Runner, but make it sparkly hyper-pop.
“It was a wonderful experience to show Adam and Eve,” Oriana shares, reflecting on the
event. “It was an interactive evening filled with all the things I love – music, fashion, and art — I
really appreciated the opportunity to present my work. Art is the driving force of my life, and
celebrating it with like-minded individuals was incredibly fulfilling.” By blending fine art with
virtual reality, Oriana showcased a series of pieces that explored themes of paradise and
self-worth, particularly through the lens of modern femininity.

One standout piece—a futuristic goddess adorned with an animated floral
necklace—stole the show. A metaphorical Eve, the woman in the piece was emboldened by her
inner strength. “The piece represents the modern goddess,” she explains. Using augmented
reality (AR) technology, she brought her paintings to life, allowing flowers to blossom and
environments to evolve.

Additionally, she showcased a piece that drew inspiration from the iconic Mona Lisa.
Oriana’s hyper-pop interpretation of Davinci’s portrait is an unapologetically loud confetti of
texture. “The reactions from viewers were incredible—watching them interact with my work
added a new layer of connection.”

For Oriana, the integration of music, fashion, and technology featured at the Adam and
Eve event felt natural. Oriana isn’t just an artist—she’s a creative polymath. Painting? Check.
Music? Yep. Fashion collabs? You bet. “Art doesn’t fit into neat boxes,” she says. “Why should
I?” A multi-hyphenate, she has collaborated with fashion and lifestyle brands while also pursuing
her love for music. “An artist’s voice transcends mediums,” she says.

The Adam and Eve party’s ethos of wellness and spirituality was a perfect match for
Oriana’s vibe. “I channel my emotions into my art,” she shares. “The women I paint are strong
and radiant because that’s the energy I strive for in my own life. Creating them reminds me to
give myself the same love and respect.” The theme of spirituality resonated deeply with Oriana,
who often turned to art as a therapeutic practice. “Art helps me process complex emotions,” she
reveals. “Through my work, I aim to showcase strong, enlightened women who prioritize their
well-being and embrace their inner strength. Creating these pieces reminds me to give myself
grace and respect.”

Born in Venezuela, Oriana’s path to becoming an artist was anything but conventional.
Initially, she pursued a degree in electrical engineering, a technical field far removed from the
world of galleries. Yet, the technical skills she gained would later prove invaluable in her artistic
explorations. “My first real introduction to the art scene was through digital art. It wasn’t until
2018 that I embraced classical art on canvas, leading to my first exhibition in 2020.”
Her Venezuelan heritage remains a cornerstone of her work. Having moved to the
United States at 22 to escape political unrest, Oriana’s art often grapples with themes of
displacement, identity, and nostalgia. “Through my artwork, I express my feelings about my
immigrant journey and the tribulations along the way,” she shares. “But it’s also about finding joy
amidst hardship. My family’s support and the outlets I’ve discovered have helped me
persevere.”

Beyond her art, Oriana is deeply committed to giving back. She has donated significant
funds to support Ukraine and has collaborated with organizations like Silent Victims of Crime,
which assists the behavioral, economic, and social obstacles of being a child of incarcerated
parents. “As someone who has faced challenges, it’s important to me to uplift communities in
need,” she says.

If minimalism whispers, Oriana’s art screams. Her pieces are an explosion of color,
texture, and personality. Oriana’s process is rooted in maximalism, with an unwavering
commitment to the philosophy of more is more. “Creating a busy scene on the canvas is
comforting to me,” she explains. “I use a variety of paints, mainly acrylic and industrial vat paint,
because my work demands layers and a two-dimensional look. For larger projects, like murals,
industrial paints are ideal.” Her vibrant, textured pieces are a sensory feast, often incorporating
unconventional materials like glitter, spikes, leather, and even false eyelashes. Iris Apfel would
be proud..

Her themes often explore duality and reincarnation, as seen in her “Rebirth” series. “I
believe we all carry both light and darkness,” she says. “My work is about harnessing those
forces to create a whole. The goddesses in my paintings are proud to embrace the best
versions of themselves, integrating all aspects of their being.”.

In the digital age, Oriana has embraced technology to expand her artistic reach. Social
media, particularly Instagram, has been instrumental in connecting with her audience. The
platform is, as she states, “the resume.” However, she’s selective about which technologies she
incorporates into her work..

“Augmented reality is revolutionary,” she says. “It doesn’t replace traditional art—it
enhances it.” She draws the line at AI. “AI lacks the human touch,” she explains. “Art is about
self-expression, and that can’t be outsourced.” “I don’t use AI because I believe it undermines
the self-expression of artists,” she says. “However, I’m a strong proponent of augmented reality.
As a brand ambassador for Artivive, I’ve loved exploring how AR can accentuate traditional art.
For the Adam and Eve party, I animated elements of my paintings to reflect the rooftop’s vibrant
atmosphere.” Oriana’s foray into the metaverse and NFTs further underscores her innovative
spirit. She has collaborated to create one of the first metaverse galleries accessible on mobile
devices. “I’m excited to see where AR and other technologies will take us in the coming years,”
she says.

After her successful showing at Adam and Eve, Oriana has no plans to slow down. In
February, she will launch a collaboration with the vitality drink brand Euroky. She also partnered
with footwear brand Joku to create limited-edition boots and trainers featuring her art. “They are
one-of-a-kind pieces,” she teases. Looking further ahead, she is planning a major event for
2025 that will feature simulation.

As a role model for emerging artists, Oriana emphasizes the sage importance of
consistency and humility. “Take your time. Never look back,” she advises. “Always be humble.
Give back to those in need.” For Oriana Pirela, art is a communal light. Whether through her
bold canvases, her philanthropic efforts, or her embrace of technology, she continues to push
boundaries and inspires others to do the same. To follow her journey, visit her Instagram @orispirella or explore her collaborations at Joku USA and Euoky Drink.

Oriana Pirela

Link To Artist Profile:

Instagram

Artist Collaborations:

Link

Link