Tell us about yourself. Who are you and what do you do?
I am a Colombian artist who came to Massachusetts in 1986. Gradually I started to get involved in its art community. I have been painting professionally since 1981. I also lived in Belgium, Spain, and Mexico, where I deepened my artistic studies.
My work dips freely into realms of abstraction, figuration, surrealism, pop art, and spiritual expression, evoking spaces which respond to visual and sensitive images in our beings.
l survived an abusive relationship, but my inspiration and love for life made me overcome it, expressing in my work all the potential and love that an artist can give!
Why did you decide to become an artist?
I came from a family of restorers, who saw beauty in ruined places, so they transformed them in their imagination. My father collected old Clocks and restored them himself, so he could hear the beauty of time passing by... trying to unfold the mystery of life itself with its forms and light changing and throughout our own experiences. This was when I realized (as a child), the need of expressing that sentiment with art, and of finding a place in the world of forms, beauty, and nostalgia, like Proust's book: "ln search of Lost Time."
Tell us about some projects you have worked on. Which one was your favorite and why?
One of the most memorable is when I had a solo show at Omar Rayo Museum of Art in Roldanillo, Colombia in 1994. It was commemorating women and poetry in Colombia. It was a harmonious dialogue between my art and their poetry.
But my favorite one was when I had a solo show in 1983 at Centro Colón in Madrid, Spain. I was able to bring most of my work from Colombia to install it in that wonderful architectural space.
This one was special because of a letter of recognition that the Colombian president gave me for the show.
What other art or artists have been inspirational to you and your work?
When I was in Mexico City in 1991, I was introduced to two of the remaining "Fridos" (Frida Kahlo’s Students: Pepe Muñoz and Fanny Ravell). They shared with me, not only their experiences with Frida as a teacher, but also as an artist and friend. They also shared with me her techniques and spontaneity of her character.
When I saw all her work throughout their lenses, and how she lived and believe in her self-expression, that they deeply absorbed, I felt inspired with all her work. Another prominent artist whom I deeply admire is Debora Arango, from Colombia.
Where can we find your work?
You can see my work at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KWM-wBecDjg6k-cJdGYspsTXkJFtmGOX?usp=sharing