Alba Blázquez
@albablazquezyo
Illustrator and graphic designer whose work has been in our lives for several years. We were looking forward to meeting her on our visit to Madrid and, when she agreed to the interview, we were so excited.
Her work has a dreamlike charge and hints of humour that generate a very contemporary imagery, as well as the use of bright colours, combined in a complementary manner.
We met at La Pecera del Mercado de la Cebada, an art shop-gallery with an exquisite selection in which Alba has some pieces. We highly recommend visiting this place if you're in Madrid!
How would you describe your art?
My work is quite changeable. Years ago I defined myself as naïf, I used to use references from the nineties and fairly absurd language, but the oneiric scenes have always prevailed.
I think my art is born out of the need to resist a world that runs too fast, in which we barely have time. That's why, from my creative work, I place myself in a sacred space that allows me to transgress this frenetic rhythm.
From social media I was able to build a network that allowed me to develop my work as an independent artist but, in the beginning, I was very afraid to share what I was doing, as I find my work very personal, it encloses my psyche, and I felt vulnerable to make it public. Once I broke down the barrier that stopped me, I experienced a really therapeutic feeling, I found mirrors in which to look at myself.
What does inspire you?
The very fact of being an only child gave me many moments of solitude during my youth, which allowed me to develop my imagination and to wander within myself.
Dreams have always played an important role in my way of seeing the world and adapting to reality. I'm interested in psychoanalysis and the symbolism that my subconscious generates while I sleep.
Despite the important introspective nature of my work, I am also interested in what surrounds me, what people think and how they behave.
What is being a woman for you?
My gender identity has been gradually evolving over the course of my life. As a child, I suffered big conflicts because of that. I didn't adapt to the specific role that society and certain sectors of my family placed me in because I was a girl. I think I innocently believed that being a boy was "cool", rejecting absolutely the idea of femininity. However, as I have become an adult, I've found the tools to feel proud of being a woman, of not allowing difficulties to prevent me from developing as a female. It is a daily construction and deconstruction process that requires a growing process that men, in most cases, do not have to face.
What do you celebrate about being a woman?
Our own nature. We have really powerful sensory and emotional capacities; we have left behind the envy and competitiveness in which patriarchy has placed us; we are now family, community. I am glad that we are reclaiming and fighting against what we were negatively expected to be.
How do you feel about being a woman in the art industry?
Today, there is a revolution in the art industry that is trying to empower women as creators. I've personally had to break off relations with galleries because they used inclusion as a tool to improve their reputation.
In my work as a graphic designer, I do find many barriers, which I face with empowerment and perseverance. At a certain point, I overcame my insecurity and went against the acceptance of generalised sexism.
From my freelance status, I find a lot of support within the independent community of artists and creators with whom I interact.
Photos by Mercedes Polo Portillo ©
