A CONVERSATION WITH ARTIST STEFHANY LOZANO
Her work explores relationships, places and contain an air of mystery thanks to the creative’s curiosity about cults, sects and religions. Other elements to her oeuvre include geometric forms, futurism and colours- lots of colour -all playing an important role in the Colombian artist’s whimsical world.
I was born 36 years ago in Bogota, Colombia. I always wanted to be an artist but I was afraid of not being talented enough so I choose the next thing to it, which was Industrial Design. I was fascinated by the idea of creating beautiful objects and somehow thought that would be easier. Once I graduated I never did much with my degree. I ended up being the assistant of an artist and I got motivated by a friend to draw so in my free time I drew as much as I could and I haven’t stopped since.
In 2010 I got a scholarship, moved to Germany and although it was never my plan, I ended up staying here, and made a life for myself as an artist, illustrator, wife and mother- the best thing that ever happened to me.
Tell us about your greatest inspirations or influences please.
Pedro Almodovar, his aesthetic and narratives always inspire me. I can see him in my work in one way or an other.
Hans Ticha, he works with very sharp, bold shapes and I found my work to be very similar to his. I look up to him since he made a career not just as an artist but also as an illustrator and this is something I struggle a lot with. He’s created amazing paintings hanging in museums and illustrated really cool, sometimes creepy, children’s books which I collect.
How are the current trends in technology and innovation affecting your work as a creative?
I will confess that I fought very hard against technology for a very long time. But my husband works with digital tools all the time and has taught me a lot. This year I began painting with digital tools and its fun. I can tell you that I am planning to work with Augmented Reality. The first part of this project has been supported by Kunstfonds scholarship here in Germany so the next 6 moths I will be working on this project and I'm very excited (and scared to be honest) to see where this will take me!
We’d love to hear more about your creative process.
Most of my ideas come from reflections of my own life, experiences and thoughts about the most simple things. I tend to write about them, I have a notebook where I write all of those ideas and when I'm ready to start working on a new project I look at it and I develop what most of the times is a series of works. I try from time to time to change my tools, to try new things out, so last year for example I started working with a tufting gun. The creative process is so different from painting. I also like working with textiles and have done embroideries. My main technique has always been painting for both commissioned illustrations and art works.
What do you think of the art world and how it works in general?
As in everything, the art world is changing constantly and is very malleable and sensible to what is happening in the world. From concepts, to techniques, to the way we see, experience and possess art will be always in a state of constant change for sure.
Anything coming up that we should know about?
Yes! Actually many things. I'm having a solo exhibition in Porto, Portugal at Senora presidenta Galery in October, I'm very happy about this show since they invited 3 years ago and we are finally able to make it happen.
In November my husband Tim Romanowsky and I will be having the chance to take over the space on MNZ, the book shop at MDBK, the art museum in Leipzig were will be showing some original works together with all the publications we have done over the years.
Hopefully this year we will be also taking part in some book fairs in Frankfurt, Hamburg and Milan and some new publications with my recents works are going to make it there. Besides that I will be focusing on the project Bulevar and of course commissions that come my way.
What does wellbeing mean to you and anything in particular that you practice?
To me having a balance between work and family is wellbeing. Having a daily routine is very important to accomplish that. I work from 9 to 3:30, sometimes longer and afterwards I pick up my daughter from Kindergarten and I spend the whole afternoon with her. We make things together. It also gives me the space to rest and come back to my studio with new energy. Once I'm in bed I like to make a recount of my day and be thankful for all the things that happened it makes me feel good.
ig: @stefhanyylozano
Copyright © Stefhany Yepes Lozano.
Copyright © Stefhany Yepes Lozano.
