Luis Urribarri
For Artspeak’s Artist Survey, our publishing director Atesh M. Gundogdu emailed some of his favorite artists few questions. He asked them about their exhibitions, their thoughts and some quirkier personal questions. Here are some answers from Luis Urribarri for the upcoming show at Laverdin Gallery.
Atesh M. Gundogdu: Let’s start at the beginning what was the impetus for your upcoming show? What will the visitors see?
Luis Urribarri: This show to me has so many angles of expressions and emotions. This is my first solo show so this is kind of the moment I have been waiting for my entire life.
The main concept of the show is daydreaming. I draw a lot of inspiration from when I get lost in my own thoughts and what originates this process is usually Architecture. I have been studying Architecture for a span of 15 years and my mind and creative ideas are heavily influenced by it. What I wanted to express in this show was a concept that I have been studying for quite some time during my design studio projects. The concept of getting in touch with your subconscious and becoming aware of your thoughts and your presence in this world that derive from a direct call for attention from either nature or architecture. The way we perceive space and how we engage with it is directed for the most part by structural elements that are design to evoke a certain feeling or call for action. This direct relationship from architecture (director) and human (the actors) and the conversation that happens within your own mind about your place in this particular space (the setting) and how you perceive it is what originated my concept for the show.
“Cosmos” Plaster and Rocks. 22” 2019.
AMG: What emotions are you channeling into your art?
LU: I want to share with people my passion for what I do and how I feel about creating and making things. Whether is painting, sculpting or designing spaces, what is most exhilarating to me is the creative process. As a child I would often get lost in my imagination and constantly recreate the places where I have been or start something new. This show is a celebration of what I consider to be the building and making of myself as a person and creator.
AMG: When did you know you wanted to be an artist?
LU: As long as I can remember. Coloring and drawing was my happy place as a kid. Building things with Legos was my favorite pastime. I really started feeling I had a voice and an impactful way to communicate and express my ideas with others through painting and drawing. Then I became really passionate about learning art history and what other artist have created before me.
AMG: What is the relationship in your work between meaning and aesthetics?
LU: You know, I have always rejected the idea that art should always have some sort of articulated meaning behind it.
AMG: Why?
LU: Because to me, creating something sometimes comes from a sudden urge to make something with my hands. In the recent years is through my education as an artist, is where I find myself more aware that everything I create has a direct relationship to a memory from my past or some issue I am trying to work out. Creating to me is how I dissect and analyze things, thoughts, concepts and how I approach solving problems. So even though I may not have an articulated idea at first, it always comes within the process and that’s how I become aware of what my mind is trying to tell me.
“Folded station” Mixed media. 24”x36” 2018.
AMG: Who has inspired you in your life and why?
LU: My parents. My dad is also an artist and super creative. I have learned so much from him and watching him as a kid at work when he used to take me to his office and create things. He is a great graphic designer and very smart. I have always wanted him to be proud of me and my work and I think my drive comes from his tireless effort to keep creating.
AMG: If you could live with one piece of art what would it be?
LU: “Dante et virgile” by William Bouguereau. It is heavily charged with emotions, movement, struggle, fury, darkness, exaggeration and a high contrast between victory and loss. Highly erotic and dramatic, it’s also beautifully composed visually. It’s a dramatic scene, and I am very drawn to passionate encounters.
William-Adolphe Bouguereau ,1850 Medium Oil on canvas, 281 cm × 225 cm (111 in × 89 in), Musée d'Orsay, Paris
AMG: What is your favorite ritual?
LU: Cleaning! Haha. I love cleaning my apartment. Organizing things is very therapeutic to me.
AMG: What songs/albums are on your playlist nowadays?
LU: Everything Rosalia. I am obsessed with her and her lyrics are very powerful. Both of her albums are great.
Carla Morrison - “Disfruto”
“Death is the Road to Awe” – Clint Mansell & Krosnos Quartet
The Acid – “Ghost”
Cream – “Sunshine of your love”
Paul Anka – “Put your head on my shoulder”
Willie Nelson – “Have you ever seen the rain”
Big Boy Spires – “One of these days”
AMG: Well, Luis, the last thing I want to know what is so scary about the future?
Not having enough time. I want to do everything and experience everything. Learn more and see more places. I want to make so many things and I fear the light may be shut off before its time.
The exhibition runs through January 3, 2020
Portrait photo by Emil Cohen
