Franchesca's Art
Franchesca Ocampo Swartzberg, born on June 3, 1974, in Bogota, Colombia, is a self-taught artist based in Atlanta, GA. Since moving to the USA in 1996, she has developed a significant presence in decorative art, experimenting with various techniques and materials. Inspired by artists like Liliana Porter and Mike Winkelnann, her work combines drama and allure, aiming to provoke thought on environmental and societal issues. Known for her dynamic and diverse creations, Franchesca's art encourages reflection on contemporary challenges, aspiring to guide future generations.
In your artistic statement, you express concern about the disconnect and potential harms of the virtual world. Could you elaborate on how your artwork seeks to bridge this gap? How do you use visual elements to contrast the digital and real worlds, prompting viewers to reflect on their interactions with technology?
My work is a collection of artistic pieces that reflect a world where each individual is connected through a phone. It sends a powerful message about the disconnection we have from the real world. My artwork tackles current issues such as environmental and political problems, the early exposure of children to the virtual world, the loss of spiritual legacies from our history, the challenges of forming personal relationships, the glorification of mediocrity, consumerism, obsession with money, loss of identity, and the imitation of influencers. In my works, you’ll often find symbols such as a heart or joined hands, representing meditation and the connection with ourselves. For this reason, I name my works "Looking for Signal Inside Yourself."
You mentioned transitioning from being a private artist to one more engaged with broader societal issues. What event or realization led to this shift? How has this transition influenced the themes or techniques in your work?
I’ve worked with multiple clients in Atlanta for over 24 years, which pushed me to experiment with various materials and expand my creativity to meet their individual tastes. However, the real catalyst for my artistic shift was the birth of my child. It made me realize the importance of addressing the problems of the real world. There’s a beautiful, interesting world that needs our attention beyond the virtual one. I began reflecting on how I could contribute to solving these issues, encouraging others to take time to connect with nature and discover their talents, questioning how they can contribute to solving global problems. This frustration led me to visualize these concerns through my art.
Artists like Liliana Porter, Mike Winkelmann (Beeple), and Gérard Garouste have influenced your work. Can you provide specific examples of how their styles or themes appear in your art? How have these influences shaped the messages you aim to convey?
These three artists challenge perceptions in different ways, invoking emotions like intrigue, fear, laughter, sadness, and joy. I feel that I’ve captured the unique essence of each of them. For instance, like Liliana Porter, I use figurines in my artwork to represent absurd actions, like running aimlessly or being covered in cement—symbols of self-destruction. Inspired by Beeple, I use elements of pop culture but blend them with traditional manual art techniques to create a hybrid visual style. Gérard Garouste’s surrealism influences my work through dramatic visual contrasts, where fantasy meets reality, pushing the viewer to think critically about the message.
The selection of materials plays a significant role in conveying your artistic messages. Could you describe your process for choosing materials? What factors do you consider to ensure that the materials enhance the emotional and narrative depth of your artwork?
I use oil paint for faces to give the artwork a vivid, real color. Clay figurines, paper, and other real objects are incorporated into my sculptures to bring out the deepest point of my message. The key element often emerges from outside the phone’s screen in my pieces, highlighting the message I want to convey. I also use resin to create the illusion of a screen or a video, adding to the digital aesthetic of the work.
Your work critically examines the influence of technology on society. What aspect of our technological entanglement concerns you the most, and how does your artwork address this issue? What discussions do you hope to inspire through your depictions of this theme?
What alarms me most is that younger generations don't know how to stop and find balance between the digital and the real world. They miss out on the depth of their inner selves—discovering their gifts, their purpose, and who they truly want to be. My art is meant to be a wake-up call, encouraging viewers to reflect and reconnect with themselves. I hope to spark conversations about how too much information can overwhelm people, making it difficult for them to organize their lives. Through my work, I aim to motivate people to find balance between their virtual and real lives.
Reflecting on audience responses to your art, what are some of the most impactful or surprising reactions you’ve received? How have these reactions influenced your approach to new projects or revisions of existing ones?
One of the most impactful reactions came from a mother who shared that, despite being surrounded by her children, she felt incredibly alone because they were consumed by video games and screens. This interaction made me realize how powerful art can be in raising awareness. It has pushed me to focus even more on creating works that bridge the emotional gap caused by technology and encourage more meaningful human connections.
Over the course of your career, how has your artistic style evolved in response to changes in your personal beliefs, societal trends, or artistic influences? Can you describe a particular piece that marks a significant point in your stylistic evolution?
My artistic style has evolved significantly, influenced by my upbringing in Colombia and the birth of my child. Growing up in a politically and socially complex environment in Colombia made me deeply aware of issues like corruption, environmental damage, and social inequality. These influences shaped my early work. The birth of my child, however, marked a major turning point. It pushed me to engage more deeply with global concerns and reflect on the digital disconnection affecting society. A significant piece marking this evolution is my series "Looking for Signal Inside Yourself," which symbolizes the need for balance between the digital and real worlds.
How have your roots in Colombia and your career in Georgia, USA, influenced your artistic themes and expressions? Are there cultural elements from each that you incorporate into your work, and how do they manifest?
Having roots in Colombia has deeply shaped my awareness of political and social issues. Growing up in a country like Colombia made me more conscious of themes such as corruption, drug trafficking, social inequality, and environmental damage. Witnessing how these challenges affected the fabric of society left a profound mark on me, sparking a deep concern for these issues. From Colombia, I carry with me family values, a deep love for my homeland, and the hope of contributing through my art. Living in Georgia, USA, I have found that effort and hard work are rewarded, which motivates me to pursue my artistic development in a place where opportunities for growth are tangible. My art reflects these dual influences, blending personal and societal reflections from both cultures.
Drama plays a significant role in your artwork. How do you incorporate dramatic elements to convey intense emotions or themes? What techniques do you use to ensure these elements support your narrative and thematic goals?
I incorporate drama in my work by using bold contrasts—vivid colors, strong textures, and varying scales—to create tension between reality and the digital world. This visual drama serves as a metaphor for the emotional conflict many people experience in balancing their online presence with their real lives. I also use lighting and shadow to enhance the depth of certain elements, drawing attention to key messages. Every dramatic choice I make in the work is meant to amplify the theme of balance between two worlds, provoking viewers to reflect on their own lives.
Looking ahead, what societal challenges do you foresee in the near future, and how do you plan to address these through your art? What role do you believe artists like yourself should play in preparing society to confront or adapt to these challenges?
I believe one of the biggest challenges society will face is the growing sense of isolation despite the overwhelming connectivity provided by technology. As we move further into the digital age, people are losing their ability to engage in meaningful face-to-face interactions. Through my art, I want to highlight this issue and encourage viewers to find balance. I think artists have a responsibility to help society confront these challenges by raising awareness, sparking conversations, and offering alternative ways of thinking about the world. Art can be a powerful tool for change, and I hope to inspire people to reflect and reconnect with themselves and their surroundings.