Today we’d like to introduce you to Genesis Moreno
Hi Genesis, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My parents are from Honduras, and I grew up in a small town near Chicago, at age 13 I moved to Miami. For college I went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where I mainly focused on painting, but I was always interested in sewing and materials. Growing up sewing was prevalent in my home, my mom and aunts would make curtains, our holiday dresses, and tailor clothes. My dad worked with antiques and furniture upholstery so he would always have loads of fabric too.
I’ve mainly worked in painting, but this year I felt inspired to create work using my family’s craft to feel more connected with my family history. After learning about quilting and tapestry crocheting, I decided to try making a quilt, and that’s when it all clicked for me. A few months after that, I found a studio at an artist-run space called Tunnel Projects in Little Havana. Everything seemed to fall into place around the same time, and I’ve been making quilts ever since. I’m really grateful to be part of a space that creates opportunities for Miami artists and fosters a community through their experimental project room. It’s a special place in Miami.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not really, I got into art later in life so it took me a long time to figure out how to make work that communicates the themes I’m exploring in an interesting and successful way. It’s hard to invest a lot of time and money into something and then end up not liking the end results, but it’s part of the process. There’s definitely been a lot of internal struggles along the way, I’ve wanted to give up before and haven’t always believed in myself, but I think surrounding myself with creative people has helped so much. It reminds me why it’s so important to keep creating.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m currently working on improvisational quilts that each tell a story of my life or of universal feelings that most people experience such as societal pressures, anxiety and depression. They’re very nostalgic and reference either 80s-90s pop culture, or video games. I love the duality of mixing old and new, soft and hard plastic charms. I started quilting this year using vintage fabrics, thrifted and personal clothing, image transfers, patches, beadwork, and trinkets turned to charms. All of the fabric used has been either worn by someone, slept on, or handmade. I like the idea that these fabrics have a prior history before I even use them. One of my quilts has vintage cake toppers hanging from it, and when I received them in the mail, they still had cake residue on them and the whole package smelled like frosting. I love thinking about all of the birthdays they were a part of through the years and all of the memories that are tied to someone’s experience through these objects and fabrics.
I’m most proud of the new direction I’m exploring, that I jumped into a new medium and taught myself how to make quilts. The process from start to finish has been very fulfilling from sourcing the materials, to learning quilt blocks, sewing, and all the beadwork. Most of all I’m proud that I’m continuing the lineage of women that sew in my family, using a skill that was passed down to me by my mom to create art is something I really cherish.
How do you think about happiness?
Having time to work in my studio, learning new things, thrifting, and spending time with friends and family. I love surrounding myself with inspiring people and art and getting to learn about their history.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.genesismoreno.com
- Instagram: @babyyy_g__
