Today we’d like to introduce you to Emilia Gonzalez.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born in Quito, Ecuador a small city high up in the mountains. I grew up in a house where many different cultures mixed together and popular beliefs where a big part of daily life. My mom is a historian and I used to spend my time in archives and museums memorizing local legends and practices.
I became fascinated by the way our body functions, especially the way it perceives the world around us. For this reason I wanted to study biology, but when it came time to make a decision art was ultimately my strongest desire. In 2014 I came to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago from where I just graduated with a BFA.
Throughout these last four years I have tried to explore my identity both as a female artist and as a person coming from a culture that is different from the one I am creating and exhibiting my art in. Although in a globalized world there are many similarities, ultimately I have had a really hard time reconciling my beliefs and culture with where I am right now. My art as well as my routines have become central to this exploration and I am looking forward to continue to understand this distance.
Please tell us about your art.
My art exists between sculpture and writing usually with both occurring at the same time. I begin with written explorations and in depth investigations onto the subject that are then slowly translated into a final piece or installation. I originally did a lot of work in metal and wood but have continued experimenting with the possibilities of materiality especially with its fragility. As a result, I have explored the use of materials such as scent, porcelain and soap that contribute to the work a sense of temporality.
I have also started working with writing not as a transition into the sculptural realm but as a final result. I usually write poetry and short stories and modify the form within which the writing is presented. Through bookmaking I have started to treat my writing as archives that document my mundanity allowing me to look at my own identity through the routine.
Likewise, my sculptural work usually deals with multiples either as part of archives -I have created an archive of sent as well as an archive of donated sentiments- or as part of a process through which my hand is forced to repeatedly create and familiarize itself with an object.
Conceptually, I reflect on my identity through the distances I inhabit. Coming from Ecuador, I am forced to consider the role of my body and beliefs as they are sterilized and decontextualized by my current environment. I am looking for pauses and bridges, for objects and spaces that allow me to understand my presence within displacement.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
For me success is not something specific but rather the peace of mind to know that I am doing what feels right for myself. Currently I want to be able to continue making and showing work but I am open to adapt if at some point something else seems to make more sense.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
People can follow my work through my website egonzalezsalgado.com as well as on Instagram @emilia.g.s and @te_evade. In those pages I will post about coming exhibitions and continue to share my practice. I have also begun doing commission work on ceramic functional pieces such as plates and cups and you can contact me at emiliagonzalezsalgado@gmail.com.
In addition my archive of sentiments is a live and growing piece that can only do so through people donating their words to the archive. By going into archivodesentimientos.emiliags.com you can see the growing archive and if you choose to donate your own sentiment you can write it down and it will become a part of the piece.
Contact Info:
- Website: egonzalezsalgado.com
- Email: emiliagonzalezsalgado@gmail.com
- Instagram: @te_evade and @emilia.g.s
- Twitter: @te_evade
Image Credit:
From top to bottom
1. Porcelain nails, 2018
2. Milagros al Vacío -detail-, 2017
3. Milagros al Vacío, 2017
4. Archivo de Sentimientos, 2016
5. Archivo de Sentimientos, 2016
6. Solaz, soap, 2018
7. Solaz, soap, 2018
8. Shungo, bronze, 2016
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
