Today we’d like to introduce you to Aurora Molina.
Aurora, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
At the age of 9 after many art classes and theater workshops my mom singed me up to take a class on hand embroidery and sewing. Many years later when I was studying art I took a class on fiber painting, which was very an experimental class with fiber materials and drawing on the sewing machine with thread. It was right there when I connected back when I was 9 years old and remembered sitting on the sewing machine and enjoyed the tension of my foot on the pedal to the movement of my hands as I guided the fabric’s surface into what I want to draw. It was since then that I discovered fiber art. As an artist I have seeking the history and traditions behind this medium and the many different ways I can narrate stories through thread. I have travel to many countries to understand and immerse myself in a cultural journey through the fabric of this different groups that have carried this traditions for centuries. The use of fabric and the obsessiveness of embroidery defines my work and honors that centuries-old legacy of women weavers and artisans. The embroidery machine facilitates a delicate and yet frenetic pace where I can visually narrate stories of immigrants, political satires, ageism, examining the egocentricity that informs the phenomena of the “selfie” and the celebrity’s, exploring the contradiction and confluence of space and action in any society.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Using thread as both a tactile and symbolic medium my work creates dialogues between old and new. The ancient practice of communicating through textiles continues to be a constant denominator, constructing rich complex and often subversive narratives.
As artists I think it is extremely important that we become the commentators of our time, and through our vigilance narrators of change. I would like to continue investigating the politics of this era, leaving a footprint, a threaded connection to the current political climate around the world. I have become very engaged in the narratives of political satire and how my work can illustrate this narratives through thread, referencing women and their traditional role in this genre, fiber art. I believe this to be important and relevant given that fiber art is playing a new role in art history: Thread not as an embellishment but as a statement. “Those woman that have come before us have paved the way, creating space for this pivotal time where we are shifting, changing and transforming.”— Paula Mallis, a political consequence of woman no longer sitting in circles embroidering flowers but having a voice through the use of what was previously considered a craft.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
As true as this sounds, I think all artists should reinvent themselves and rely on themselves. Even with gallery representation we cannot bear the burden of sale and income on the gallery, since the art market fluctuates and it has its ups and downs. For me finding a steady income has been found on teaching, something that I enjoyed and think is extremely important as I can help and cherish many other young artists. Also through education and securing a career that relates to the arts, getting a master’s degree to be able to teach at the university, college level, museum education or private classes.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I’m represented by Bernice Steinbaum Gallery, one of the most respected members of the art community in the United States. Gallerist, dealer, curator, juror, speaker and author.
“I think I’m a survivor, and I think I roll with the punches… And always there is the passion for art and finding the next artist who will make art history – always for me… Insatiable curiosity – Bernice Steinbaum. “
Bernice Steinbaum Gallery
(305) 573-2700
2101 Tigertail Avenue
Coconut Grove, Florida 33133
Contact Info:
- Address: 417 Santander Ave Apt 1
Coral Gables
Florida
33134 - Website: www.auroramolina.com
- Phone: 7863370920
- Email: info@auroramolina.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auroramolinafiberartist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auroramolinaartist/
Image Credit:
Courtesy of Bernice Steinbaum Gallery
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