artista del mes: alejandra laviada

I recently became aware of Alejandra's work through a communication from diagrama, where she is currently exhibiting alongside Omar Rodríguez-Graham. What struck me at first sight is how the oeuvre of this young and  talented Mexican artist is immediately engaging. From what I just learned, she is mostly known for her photographs, yet she is expanding her vision through painting and sculpture.

©Alejandra Laviada, Blue, 2007.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Alejandra is an internationally awarded artist, currently living and working in Mexico City, She earned her BFA from RISD, and her MFA from SVA. Her recent body of work testimony of this remarkable background.

IN HER OWN WORDS: REGARDING WHAT ATTRACTED HER TO PHOTOGRAPHY

"I’ve always been passionate about art, and photography felt like the best outlet for my creativity. Since I was little, I always carried a camera around with me, and I think this was a great exercise because it taught me to look at the world in a very specific way. I began to notice all the small details, and see things for their potential as an image.  The photographs are an extension of my eyes, my voice, and a reflection of the way that I perceive my surroundings." From an interview in wow, February 11, 2012.

IN MY OWN WORDS: REGARDING ALEJANDRA'S IMAGES

Innovative, "de propuesta", as we say in México. Intriguing, expansive.

©Alejandra Laviada, Manuel, 2008.

©Alejandra Laviada, Juggling, 2008.

©Alejandra Laviada, Stacking, 2007.

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http://www.alejandralaviada.com

limited edition

Early last week, I had the chance to finally reclaim (US term) or strip (Canadian term) the photo stencils on several of my screens.

Going, going...

Pears be gone...

With the aid of emulsion remover  (US term) or "stripper" (Canadian term), and the power washer at CTS (bottom left image), getting the photo stencil off is a rather easy task to perform. The picture on the far right represents the "ghost" image that sometimes remains on the screens after repeated use. These imprints will not affect the next stencil on the screen, but they do become a testimony of projects past.

The tea towels produced in the late fall last year are now absolute limited editions, making them even more precious. They will be available through the inkfibre EtsyShop (opening soon),  another step in the daunting world of entrepreneurship. I just need to fully understand what I'm getting myself into. WWYS--What Would Yoda Say? His comment would definitely be: "Business woman you are not". Indeed. I'm eager to learn, though.

As of right now, the only designs that will continue to be printed are Talavera, and most certainly Pears, the latter one as a new design (or designs, we'll see). In the meantime, a fresh batch of motifs and repeats is on the works, "coming soon to a pillow near you".