Today we are talking with Sofía Saavedra, a great woman, Venezuelan artist with a beautiful work and whom I have the honor to talk and know a little more about her work. Enjoy it!
Astrid: When did you enter the art world and how?
Sofia: I have always been close to art, I studied theater, dance and I have always painted, only that I went through difficult moments and I could never be constant. After having my daughter, and assuming my motherhood alone, I felt the immense need to give birth to myself, and art was the refuge and my path. I did it with determination.
Astrid: How has your experience been working in art outside your native country?
Sofia: I have worked with art in several countries, I managed to do 4 solo exhibitions in Argentina, now the challenge of Mexico, win a prize in an international triennial, make my exhibitions and take on work with other artists and institutions, I think every day I feel that it is a challenge. It is a great joy to be able to do what I like in my country and abroad. It has been very positive, I have strengthened.
Astrid: Of the various artistic tasks you do, which one makes you feel most comfortable?
Sofia: All art interests me, I have worked with my body, with materials, they are all challenges every time I take them on.
Astrid: What do you think is the biggest boost for emerging artists in Venezuela?
Sofia: In Venezuela it is necessary to create ways to promote emerging artists, I do not believe in the fantasy system of galleries. It is necessary to create proposals to generate a trajectory from diversity. I think the only platform I considered very important was the University of the Arts. There is a lot left around this topic (it is what I feel and felt in my own flesh), emerging artists must be very creative, risky and take their own actions to advance the research proposal.
Astrid: Have you participated in events, forums, exhibitions outside the country?
Sofia: I am now in Mexico, I have done exhibitions in Argentina, Spain, France, and Mexico. In general I have been in seminars organized since the recent International Triennial of Tijuana.
Astrid: What is your opinion regarding the current explosion of virtual galleries and mere digital art?
Sofia: I think it’s part of a whole process that we can’t deny, I think it’s interesting, I don’t know enough, I just know that it’s part of a meta time that exists and we can explore.
Astrid: What has been your experience of working post-pandemic?
Sofia: I have NOT stopped working, during the pandemic and post-pandemic, I think the experience is one of resistance, in many ways we have been deep and resistant.
Astrid: Do you have an artist you admire or influence?
Sofia: I have many, women of international contemporary art such as: Marlene Dumas, also Amselm Kiefer, but more of the Caribbean warmth will always be Armando Reveron and his saving madness and my beloved Ramón Pimentel who has always driven me.
Astrid: How has your experience been as a female artist?
Sofia: I always enunciate myself as a woman, mother, artist. It is important to give value to this because it really is a topic of debate, it is time to make a path with a lot of determination, many things happen that are part of machismo and that we always have to face them from the work and forcefulness of the investigation, touch, I have gone through many situations.
Astrid: Would you do this for the rest of your life?
Sofia: If the question is if I would make art for life, I would not know how to answer, I love art and what I do liberates me, it is a great portal to breathe and to see myself now, sometimes I also know that it is strong. That’s why sometimes I paint, sometimes I just want to write, sometimes embroider and so on; I don’t know, maybe one day I just want to contemplate, enjoy, breathe and just that.
Thanks to Sofia for allowing me to interview her today for Underton. It is a pleasure always!
I invite you to follow her on her social networks.
Social media:
Facebook: Sofia Saavedra
Instagram: sofiasaavedraart