Odilia Iaccarino
What aspects of Diego Velázquez's "Las Meninas" first captivated your artistic sensibility, compelling you to engage with it as a thematic cornerstone in your work?
Without a doubt, the masterpiece “Las Meninas” by the Spanish painter Diego Velazquez from the Golden Age is one of the most viewed in the world. For me, observing the work “Las Meninas” means living in the moment, prostrated in the faces of the members in the composition. My mind moves to a space of imagination, and thus I can explore the various situations and then practice in my work.“ Las Meninas today continues to concern me and drive me to create my work with more depth and characterization.
In what ways do you endeavor to weave the aesthetic and thematic elements of Velázquez's oeuvre into your unique style that prominently features oil pastels, acrylics, and graphite?
To ensure that a work is unique in essence and objectivity, it is necessary to work constantly until mastering the technique and thus being able to achieve consecrated work. Therefore, I use oil pastels, acrylics, and graphite to create my works, as they instill confidence in my ability to execute them. Due to their fluidity, I achieve the first stage of the backgrounds with acrylics. I use oil pastels as weapons to mark, accentuate, or stain the work, leaving a soft complexion on the canvas. I use graphite as the material that I have carried hand in hand since my childhood, and that is why it is very exciting to integrate shapes and figures with graphite.
Could you elaborate on the synthesis of traditional influences, such as Velázquez, with your distinct artistic techniques? How does this fusion reflect in the textural and compositional choices you make?
Traditional influences are very important to me because they are the essential foundation for the structure of my works. For example, the menina figure is iconic and has been interpreted in a thousand ways according to the artist's inclination. Nowadays, I dedicate myself to working on the Menina figure with graphite on translucent paper. This step gives me the opportunity to change the figure's position and appearance, looking for the best option for my work's composition. Implementing this technique allows me to create a subjective view of the landscape and the menina within the work.
Considering your rich Mexican heritage, how does this cultural background intersect with and enrich your reinterpretations of classical European art, such as "Las Meninas"?
The culture between the two is very similar due to the influence that the Spanish brought to Mexico during colonization, such as Spanish cuisine and architecture. My work reflects the panorama of where I grew up, the colors of my land, family love, and the virtues and similarities that exist in ancient culture. Nature, rocky hills, orange groves, and experiences and teachings shaped my childhood and continue to influence my work today.
What complexities arise when transposing the grandeur of "Las Meninas," a painting renowned for its depth and intricacy, into your artistic language, and what strategies do you employ to surmount these challenges?
Learning has provided me with a wealth of research creativity. Among my creations, the objective is to bring Las Meninas hand in hand to the present without interrupting the iconic figure that is La Menina. Some challenges I have encountered in my work include the lack of facial features on the figures, the need to implement facial expressions despite their absence, and the need to balance body posture with contours. In order to confront certain challenges, I remained firm in my vision and idea to give the menina light and contrasts through colors; thus, working directly with the canvas, I was able to visualize the objective directly, getting it right little by little and step by step, until I achieved my purpose.
Reflecting on your exhibitions, both on national and international stages, how have viewers reacted to your contemporary reimagining of Velázquez’s work? Are there discernible differences in reception between audiences from different cultural or geographic backgrounds?
As time passes, I have had the opportunity to take my works to different places, and that is where I can feel the people up close, their expression, dialogue, and connection with the content of my work. When observing my work, the viewer's reactions include tenderness, sensitivity, and finding memories. I feel that the new generation has a soul eager to know the history of the Meninas, and that makes it easier for me to start mutual conversations, making it very clear that we have something in common: the love of art.
With a series of accolades and recognitions shaping your artistic journey, how have these honors influenced your creative philosophy and your aspirations within the art world?
Recognitions usually bring me joy, confidence, and gratitude. Considering that they motivate me to advance my work towards diverse goals, such as launching a new series of works or collaborating on humanitarian projects.
As a member of various Texan arts associations, in what ways do these affiliations nurture your creativity or provide platforms for collaboration within the artistic community?
I live in a region where the communities are close and allow me to share my work in various art calls, such as competitions, workshops, or charitable events. My participation in various projects has provided me with valuable experiences and knowledge within the art community, encompassing various communication branches, including the marketing chain. It is important for me to maintain a good relationship with colleagues and mainly follow the environment to give more to our community through affiliations.
As you gaze into the future, are there any particular artistic endeavors or experimental directions you are eager to explore within your practice?
As an artist, I am always exploring various techniques and discovering new possibilities to continue growing and thus mature in the artistic world. My biggest concern is being in my new workshop, which will arrive in Fall 2024. Within my space, many things await me to learn.