Artist based in La Cienega, New Mexico
Andrés Mario de Varona and Marcia, Portrait of the Photographer
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
I am a first generation Cuban American and my interest in art began after my mother's death in 2016. I found myself creating ceremonies with my family that re-examined the significance of death as part of life. After that first project, I felt like I learned something important about myself and what expression can be like.
To See Myself Alive, Archival Pigment Print, 44 x 44 inches
"TRIALS, streamlines all of our individual narratives into a visual record which all collaborators (including myself) are depicted as a living memorial, meaning we are enacting and becoming testimonies to events that once happened in our past lives. "
Scenes from the studio
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
Lately I have been repairing my workspace that stands outdoors, year-round, completely exposed to the elements in the beautifully brutal Northern New Mexican desert. The studio’s splintering frames and peeling panels are a testament to New Mexico’s harsh environment and references the wear and tear on the human body that is often the subject in my work.
Scenes from the studio
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in a creative practice. What do you do for inspiration?
To feel true inspiration I first need to feel that something is real, so I will dedicate time to interact with the world and strangers. One of the best things I ever did for inspiration was stand at a gas station and ask everyone how their day was going.
Sharon's Radiation Mask, Archival Pigment Print, 44 x 44 inches
Where do ideas start for you? In the studio or being in the world?
My ideas almost always come from being in the world and the experiences I live through. Sometimes my ideas also come from individuals who inspire me with the way they go about living their day to day. I often find that if I don't have any ideas, I'm not living fully enough, or being vulnerable enough with people. The next thing for me would then be to create an installation where those experiences/ideas could be manifested again, and within that installation an engagement will occur, thus making the image.
Scenes from the studio
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
My work begins with an internal sketch that then gets translated to paper. I often write words or phrases that encapsulate the image, I find this often gets me in the right head space. I'll write actions, or how I could be moving within the image. After blueprinting and workshopping the concept, I get outside and begin building the installation for the image.
At this point, everything I blueprinted can change because of the weather or other circumstances, so I try to be as prepared and clear about the ideas as I can be before building.
As far as my style goes, I think I am still discovering it. All I can say for certain is that I want to make photographs rather than take them.
Work in progress
Many artists live by their routines, do you have your own studio or work ritual? What does that look like for you?
In my first series, Contact, I only photographed at night, and in my new series, Trials, I have only been photographing during sunrise or early mornings.
Scenes from the studio
Who are your biggest influences?
Some Early Artist Influences: Gordon Matta-Clark, Ana Mendieta, Andy Goldsworthy, Rebecca Horn, Pope.L, Robert Cummings, Laurie Anderson, Lieko Shiga, Albert Chong, Pina Bausch.
My Signature, Archival Pigment Print, 15 x 15 inches
Are there books or films that are an important source of inspiration?
Books: Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Autobiography of Red, Lame Deer Seeker of Visions, The Crossing, Narcissus and Goldmund, the Bible.
Films: Simon of the Desert, The Passion of Joan of Arc, Still Walking, Sweet Bean, Persona, Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, Harold and Maude.
Osmosis, Archival Pigment Print, 40 x 50 inches
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
"Knowing what you're doing is overrated."
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
Don't think too hard before an idea, you might convince yourself out of doing it.
Self-portrait
Stay up to date with Andrés Mario de Varona
Instagram @andres.deva
Website andresmario.com