valderrama portfolio

L U I S A V A L D E R R A M A

P O R T F O L I O

A R T – M a s t e r o f F i n e A r t s – L u i s a V a l d e r r a m a

A R T I S T S T A T E M E N T

My recent work reflects an interest for local cultures. We live in a world of immense cultural inheritance, ethnic diversity and regional identities. Today, globalization is a fact and it seems to threaten local traditions day by day. It is important to protect cultural identities in order to protect the inheritance of the people. Each of us has a place to call home, a context that inspires us, and a place where we belong and that makes us different. What would happen if there were no differences between us? What if everything was universal? Cultural diversity is what makes the world an interesting place.

As an artist I want to present my encounters with local cultures to the world. I want to make the audience aware of the diversity that surrounds us, of the beauty and issues of other cultures. I want to show how my way of living coexists with another’s by merging into a work of art. I want to undertake local cultures in an artistic way that can hopefully generate consciousness and action.

I have started my work inside Colombia, a place of enormous cultural diversity on itself. I began working with the culture and tradition of the Colombian planes, where my parents were born.

I T I N E R A N T R E S I D E N C I E SThe Colombian Planes(in progess)

Art project developed as part of Fundación 4-18, a non-profit art organization that seeks to work on specific issues of different Colombian communities. 4-18 works with other disciplines through exhibitions, talks, workshops, residencies, publications and cultural events in order to find common languages that allow better communication with the audience. For the first part of this residency we invited Taiwanese artist Yunyo Ayo Shi.

The Colombian Planes is a geographic area in Colombia rich in petroleum. For this reason it is an exploited area with a lot of technological developments and globalization means. These processes endanger the local culture and its traditions. The project seeks to generate awareness of this endangerment.

2015

Promotional material

Conference at Escuela Colombiana de IngenieríaJulio Garavito

C O N F L U E N C I A S(in progress)

As a continuation of the “Guate” series, “Confluencias” consists of a series of works that seek to show my encounter as a person born in the city with my parent’s culture in the Colombian planes, Contrary to “Guate”, this series pretends to be more two-dimensional and work with the local materials in a more discreet way. The local materials and tools are almost unrecognizable within or as more common or harsh materials. The local ingredient is present, yes, but almost lost, endangered, overshadowed by the common ingredient.

2014-2015

Soil # 1Sand, oil and varnish on canvas 100 x 70 cm

Soil # 2Sand and oil on canvas 70 x 70 cm

Soil # 3Sand and oil on canvas 70 x 70 cm

Costuras # 1Mane and smalt on sack 40 x 40 cm

Detail

Costuras # 2Mane and smalt on sack 40 x 40 cm

Detail

Detail

Costuras # 3Mane and smalt on sack 40 x 40 cm

Detail

Costuras # 4Mane and smalt on sack 40 x 40 cm

Costuras # 5Mane and smalt on sack 40 x 40 cm

Detail

Tripas (in progess)Sewed pig intestines50 x 90 cm

G U A T E

In a time of globalization, cultural frontiers seem vague and traditions that make us unique start to loose their specialization. Nevertheless, when two worlds meet the result is not necessarily the exclusion of the other’s identity. The confrontation can give place to a new expression that recognizes identity, without the risk of cultural uniformity.

Rather than trying to avoid the inevitable, we have to accept that we are forced to live with the global phenomenon, taking advantage of the confrontation and cohabitation of different cultures to reclaim identity. “Guate” intends to look at the local culture of the Colombian planes and balance it with the homogeneous imposition of a globalized era.

2013

UntitledVegetable fiber and aluminium sphere82 x 17 cm

UntitledTreated hide48 x 100 cm

UntitledMetal frame with old fishing net 24 x 19 cm

UntitledSynthetic leather, mane, thread and cow horn130 x 20 cm

UntitledPig intestines filled with siliconeApprox. 33 x 10 cm ea.

UntitledMean, rod and bull scrotum filled with cement 118 x 19 cm

UntitledMean and metal angle250 x 10 cm

UntitledTotumos, thread and bronze pipe150 x 40 cm

UntitledStakes and curtain sticksApprox. 99 x 4 cm ea.

UntitledDeer leg and metal stirrup29 x 8 cm

O T H E R W O R K

Belén (in progress)Oil on wood45 x 33 cm2015

OllasOil on canvas paper21 x 23 cm2014

UntitledSynthetic leather, oil, hide and wire90 x 90 cm2013

Canasta familiar colombianaOil on canvas60 x 90 cm2011