Gloria Martín

@gloriamartin.studio

Painter from Seville whose work is deeply rooted in her own experience as a student of Fine Arts in this city, in the workshops, in the processes and, nowadays, in her own professional practice as a teacher. Gloria's artwork looks into the mirror and reflects workshop rooms, tools or pictorial elements that transmute and become the artistic subject itself. In this way, she is deeply interested in “metapainting”, which is a concept that refers to the inclusion of painting in painting, theatre in theatre, literature in literature.

How would you describe your art?

Art is a method of placing myself in life, in the world, a tool of knowledge, of self-management. Thus, I try to speak of everyday life, of my own experience.

I'm a lecturer and I consider it's fundamental to claim my position as an artist and a teacher, a perspective that creates a common space from where I allow myself to develop my creative discourse.

My work has always had a very strong heritage in the decorative arts, in the baroque, in trompe l'oeil, in misleading the spectator with a painting by recreating other techniques, other materials. I'm interested in the representation of workspaces, of everyday interiors in workshops.

What does inspire you?

The pictorial tradition. I work in Seville and it has a significant impact on my art, as I take references from great local painters such as Zurbarán and Murillo.

I am interested in pictorial processes, restoration, museums and galleries. I am also inspired by literature.

At the moment, I am referring to motherhood, as I am at that moment in my life. I think it's important to work on what you experience on a daily basis.

What is being a woman for you?

To have solid care. I believe women have very valuable tools of emotional management, which are the result of the struggle for their survival and visibility. In addition, we bring an empathetic point of view that provides a necessary social balance.

Being a teacher allows me to relate to the younger generation and to be aware of the positive change they are going through. This is really encouraging, as communities of empowered women with very clear ideas are being built.

What do you celebrate about being a woman?

Mutual respect. There is a sense of support for one another that is breaking down any competitiveness clichés and it's creating a scheme for women who want to make a change.

How do you feel about being a woman in the art industry?

Motherhood has definitely placed me in a more precarious scenario. There is barely any support for women who decide to become mothers, there is unquestionable segregation in which the masculine world has the easy way out. Even so, personally, I have felt very supported by the galleries I work with and by my closest environment.

Photos by Mercedes Polo Portillo ©