Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana Monteagudo.
Hi Mariana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a south Florida based multidisciplinary visual artist and sculptor. My artistic practice is a testament to my vision and consistent artistic evolution, and I’ve been deeply focused on a series of doll sculptures since late 90’s.
My figures, which I affectionately call Muñecas (Dolls), are crafted from a blend of ceramics, latex, and mixed media. . In creating them, I engage with a wide range of cultural references—from pre-Columbian aesthetics to Japanese manga and contemporary pop culture.
These Muñecas have been my main source of creative force since the beginning.
My artistic practice began over two decades ago with a series of small statuettes. Fabricated from found objects and everyday materials—including clay, plaster, cloth, and wax—these early works possessed an unsettling beauty and an unscripted voice that set the foundation for my current body of work.
As a third-generation ceramicist, the inclusion of clay in my work is a direct connection to my family’s artistic legacy. This material, with its profound history and versatility, is a cornerstone of my practice. The dolls or “muñecas”, as I refer to them, are born from a natural and intuitive process. My work is a direct response to a deep-seated belief that there are no ignoble materials, anything can be used and repurposed, resulting in a hybrid artifact with endless interpretations.
I plunge into a deliberate scavenger hunt for discarded objects and forgotten materials from hardware stores, thrift shops, and neighborhood streets. These foraged elements, saturated with a history of their own, are given a second chance through a process of creative reuse and transformation.
The resulting figures are a manifestation of this philosophy. Each piece is an exploration of all kinds of cultural references, looking for unexpected combinations, reflecting a life-long commitment to perseverance and creativity. My work is an ongoing dialogue with the materials themselves, challenging traditional notions of value and beauty. As I continue to search for new sources, my practice remains a challenge to the self, a continuous cycle of discovery and rebirth.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My arrival in Florida twelve years ago marked the beginning of an extraordinary, challenging chapter. While the journey has had its share of inevitable setbacks, I remain profoundly grateful for the community and individuals who put their faith in my work, providing me with invaluable platforms to showcase and share my creations.
However, success, to me, is not a destination but a continuous search. I am perpetually driven to overcome my own limitations and actively seek opportunities that force me out of my comfort zone. This relentless fight for excellence, while indispensable for innovation, often brings moments of frustration. The principle is simple yet demanding: the higher the personal standard I impose, the harder the path becomes to reach my goals.
Ultimately, I am convinced that accomplishment comes with obstacles. Only sustained dedication, and sheer determination are the secrets of growth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a sculptor and multidisciplinary visual artist, and I am known for my unique series of figures, which I generally call *Muñecas (Dolls). I specialize in mixed media sculpture, often blending traditional materials like ceramic, paper mache, and plaster with found objects, recycled materials, and things I collect. Coming from a family of ceramists, that foundational skill is always present.
I am primarily known for my cute/weird yet expressive doll sculptures. They are often described as unsettling, intriguing, or culturally hybrid.
They are a form of “three-dimensional collage”, bringing together references from a wide range of sources—everything from Pre-Columbian aesthetics* and indigenous idols to Japanese Manga, fashion, and mass-market pop culture toys.
My process is guided by a belief in upcycling and reuse. I’m constantly on a scavenger hunt, whether it’s at a thrift store or simply walking around on trash day in my neighborhood, to find discarded objects and give them a second life.”
I am most proud of two things. First, the simple, natural, and intuitive way my creative process has remained the same since the beginning. It started over two decades ago as a spontaneous burst of creating small statuettes with anything I had at hand, and I’ve continued to follow that urge relentlessly.
Secondly, I’m deeply proud to have my dolls be part of recognized collections, such as the MOLAA Museum of Latin American Art in California and the Everson Museum in New York. That acknowledgment gives a platform to the philosophy behind the work. Im also beyond proud of being part of an EMMY award winning documentary released in 2020 by the film director: Elaine Minionis, which follows the creation of my dolls. Film link: https://vimeo.com/271508462
What sets me apart is my absolute conviction that there is no ignoble material. Everything can be reused. My work is a physical manifestation of that belief—
That same philosophy helps me connect with my pieces in such a way that truly reflect the singularity of my own personality, which ultimately makes them unique and original.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love collaborating with people, I also work as art instructor at the Boca Museum and teaching is one of my passions. Being in Contact with people in the community had helped me be a better artist and person.
Im very active on social media, always getting inspired by other artists and trying to make connections with art enthusiasts.
you can follow my instagram here: https: //www.instagram.com/mariana_monteagudo/
you can also join my art class at the Boca Museum here: https://artschool.bocamuseum.org/directory/mariana-monteagudo
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marianamonteagudo.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariana_monteagudo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariana.monteagudo.58
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariana-monteagudo-2bb5b436/
- Youtube: Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc3U0SRaMP4
- Other: Documentary website: https://www.uncannydollsfilm.com
Image Credits
all pictures are mine
