A graduated architect who discovered in art a means to express freedom, emotions, and thoughts, I pursued architecture as a secondary career. This endeavor equipped me with the professional and technical skills necessary to address challenges encountered in bringing artistic ideas to life. As a seasoned problem solver, my nearly 10 years of experience as a project manager provided insights into materials, tools, and technical solutions, shaping my ability to create art not solely rooted in materiality but rather driven by conceptualization.
Presently, I identify as both a sculptor and a painter. My sculptural creations lean towards the conceptual, while my paintings arise from the expression of emotion. The two processes diverge—one rooted in an Apollonian aspect and the other an expression of the need to heal, stemming from my Dionysian nature.
My artistic journey commenced at a young age, drawing inspiration from television and cartoons, even selling my creations in preschool. My first sale, a Pokemon drawing at the age of 8, marked the beginning. Subsequently, I transitioned from selling to freely sharing my work, finding it effortless compared to my peers. Unfortunately, art faded from my school curriculum, but a visit to a Picasso exhibit at the Museo Nacional in Bogota left me unimpressed..
Post-school, I chose architecture as a pragmatic path for financial stability to support the family business. However, the reality of managing construction projects and a disillusioning internship in designing commercial apartments, filled with monotony and system-imposed restrictions, left me disheartened. I regretted not pursuing the creative design process within architecture, echoing Alvar Aalto’s sentiment that architecture is the art of old men.
Disenchanted with my job and seeking meaning, I turned to substance abuse. Amid familial and financial challenges, a stint in a rehabilitation center became a turning point. Here, I delved into self-discovery, learning to communicate with myself in a more nuanced and assertive manner. Self-destruction, once the only coping mechanism, transformed into one option among many.
Returning to construction work, the emotional toll led me away from substances to people; I became addicted to my partner. Through years of therapy, I unraveled the darker facets of myself. My art serves as a profound reflection of this self-awareness.
Today, my artistic production is rooted in self-understanding, expressing my moments of art to paper as a form of healing, and a critical perspective on the disconcerting world around us. While continuing my studies in studio arts, I paradoxically engage in demolition work to meet my financial obligations—forced by a system that compels destruction while my desire leans towards creation.
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