Jhyda Pura-Quilla is an Ecuadorian multidisciplinary artist based in Jersey City, N.J. Daughter of the Southern and Northern continents whose work captivates whilst making her subjects simultaneously relatable and mysterious. Ephemeral moments, celebration of the nude form, and candid snaps are caught in available-light presented without retouching post capture.
Her creative expression was not only encouraged, but nurtured by her Mamå who instilled discipline of craft for any new discovery while allowing full immersion by her daughter. As a child Jhyda dove into biographies, philosophy, glittering black & white movies of the golden age, classic horror films, vinyl recordings of movie soundtracks, the works of Edgar Alan Poe, Mercedes Sosa, Sylvia Plath, Maya Angelou, Pablo Neruda, and Langston Hughes to name a few. Dancing and singing to the anguish of country, the profound spirituality of blues and jazz, Motown sound, or rock vibes were her daily companions at home.
At 14 she began riding into NYC immersing herself in the LES, Loisaida-Lower East Side, it was a rambunctious belly of creativity nourished by diverse cultures with emerging artists defining flavor and substance subsequently impacting generations to come. In the vibrant squatter communities epitomizing art and activism. Punk, rock, goth, reggae, hip hop, salsa, and experimental sounds announced social and political dichotomy thumping onto gritty streets. In velvet glide Jhyda moved through squats, concert venues, outdoor shows, and club performances. Fueled by the fervor of fusing genres and disciplines, fellow artists, her coming of age decade of contradictions, and integrating latinx tri-state experiences.
At age 15, she shot and developed her first role of film, it was at this point she understood that her view of the curious world could be captured in silver halide magic. Enjoyment of the process was at hand; looking through the viewfinder, releasing the shutter, and diving into dark room exploration.
Jhyda's nudes are poetic transformative experiences weaving levels of vulnerabilities and strengths that live inside all of us. Each session demonstrates a fluid discovery of connection between the photographer and subject.
“Drawn in by beautiful bewildering mammals, an infinite exploration.”