Zachary Ochoa

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Born: Aurora, IL, U.S.A., 1998.
Living and working: Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A.

Zachary Ochoa is a young artist recognized for her vibrant and whimsical Girl Hero universe. Utilizing airbrushed acrylics, she transforms cartoon characters and fantastical creatures into magical and heroic representations, exploring themes of gender, self-perception, and liberation.

Originally from the western suburbs of Chicago, Ochoa attended the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) and developed a keen interest in art from a young age. Transitioning from graphic design to fine art during her sophomore year, she fell in love with painting, dedicating herself to continuous improvement since graduating two years ago.

The Girl Hero series, initiated during the pandemic, serves as a personal reflection following graduation. Inspired by the hero archetype, Girl Hero embodies Ochoa’s self-perceptions, challenging societal norms and reflecting her feelings about her own body. The character exists as a powerful reflection, surpassing societal limitations through artistic creation.

Ochoa introduces morality and complexity to Girl Hero, desiring to create a character that is both lovable and flawed. Rejecting respectability politics, the character navigates the blurred lines of good and bad, embodying raw authenticity. The series explores themes of new life, fragility, and natural rhythms, sparking a dialogue on the perception of both landscape and painting.

In an interview, Ochoa discusses her journey as an artist, highlighting her transition from seeing professors as teachers to viewing them as mentors and peers. She describes her unique painting style, emphasizing the importance of line and composition influenced by a fascination with cartoons and animation.

The central figure, Girl Hero, is introduced as a fictional transgender earth God character embodying Ochoa’s wildest dreams and challenging traditional hero narratives. The character serves as a form of spirituality, addressing the exclusion of marginalized individuals from modern forms of religion.

Ochoa’s work is deeply connected to themes of queerness and identity. Acknowledging her own struggles with identity since childhood, she explores polarities and embraces the beauty of naivety in her transness. Her work aims to authentically reflect her immediate feelings as a queer person of color, delving into the messy and uncomfortable aspects of queerness and marginalization. Characters in her work, with cursed marks or masculinized features, serve as reflections of her personal journey in accepting her body and identity as a woman.