Today we have fire! Manuela, Venezuelan artist, comes with a mystical and diverse artistic force, an explosive mix! We invite you to enjoy this interview with Manuela en llamas.
Manuela Why on fire?
En llamas (on fire) has a lot of meannings. Today I can tell you that when I make art, I feel flaring. Fire is a transforming element and I feel like art is transforming.
Where does your illustrative and pictorial art turn to?
I draw a Lot of characters. My studies on drawing left me tools to keep studying the human body and it’s expressions. I also love abstract languages, and exploring many techniques.
Musically, what is the focus of your composition?
Right now my music is closely linked to humor and theater. Especially for me to have fun with it.
Have you had any influential artistic collaborations?
Yes. Many. I have an álbum called “Ahora o Nunca” ( Now or never) , and it’s Made out of a bunch of collabs I Made with many artists from American continent.
Each song has a “migration story” behind. Si grateful yo work with La Raysa Morales de Guatemala, Nuwanliss de Venezuela, Nación Ekeko de Argentina y Alfonso Jdo de Canadá.
Each artist is a universe and I love collabs.
What is something you haven’t tried to do yet that you would like to do?
I would like to have more dancing mood songs. Direct movies and make a lot of videos.
Get a little more serios about textile world, which I love and is more like a hobby for me right Now. Maybee live in the jungle sometime.
Is performance part of your artistic work?
Yes. Since I started exploring improvisation and understood that everything is and can be Performátic.
Any upcoming projects you would like to share with us?
I’m editing some videos for My songs. i’m about to share soon a couple of songs, slow cooking.
I have an interactive poem-illustration book, called “Palabracadabra”
as well as two volumes of a drawing book.
I realeased independently, but i’m looking for edition.
What countries have you met through art?
Well, I traveled from Argentina to Venezuela making music on popular. Markets, boulevard, streets, ferias, coffee shops….
Almost all te time singin, and with an accordion, which I use to tie to a weel car. I went trough Argentina, Chile, Perú, Ecuador, Colombia.
I also sold drawings, macramé, made videos, design.
You get to know other artists and people support you because they enjoy art.
Later I lived almost 3 years in Guatemala.
In Venezuela, I worked painting a boats name, one time… Is beautiful where art can take You.
Will Manuela continue doing this for the rest of her life?
I imagine somehow yes. Art, I think, Is everywhere. Even in making your food and cleaning your house.
Surely when i’m older i’ll write more, for a more sedentary life, I guess.
I have many stories to tell.
Photos by:
Antonio Chinea
Nuwanliss
Armando Tuche
Rambla Festival
Thank you very much to Manuela for allowing us to conduct this interview today, we invite you to follow her on her social networks and digital platforms.
Instagram: @manuela_en_llamas
Bandcamp: Manuelaenllamas
WordPress: mariamanuelam4
