Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniela Riojas.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up on the US/Mexico border in Eagle Pass, TX. After running away from home and eventually going through a recovery from addiction at age 18, I began an artistic journey in alignment with my personal healing. After working with an organization that empowers youth on the west side of San Antonio called San Anto Cultural Arts, I created my first photo essay documenting undocumented immigrants living in the downtown area of the city. I then turned to self-portraiture as a way to express teachings in Native ceremony, embodiment of feminine archetypes, and as a way to broaden an understanding of my body in relation to the external and internal world. In 2013, I was awarded “Best Photographer in San Antonio”, then an artist residency at the Vermont Studio Center. My first solo exhibition followed after that. In 2015, I was given a grant through the City of San Antonio for a music video production of my band’s music video “Frida’s Heart,” which allowed me to explore film directing, producing, and performing in more depth. I then started a two-year residency at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center where I segwayed into performance and installation. I am the creative director and singer of my band, Femina-X, just having released our second album ‘KIVA’ this July 2018, proceeded by an east coast tour. Currently, I’m a Joan-Wich fellow and MFA candidate at the University of Houston.
Please tell us about your art.
For the last ten years, I have been following visions as they come to me, letting them lead me down an interdisciplinary path. I’m a photographer, self-portraitist, writer, filmmaker, performer, singer, designer, and installation artist. Through these mediums I explore ideas of environmentalism, science, indigeneity, ritual, de-colonizing landscapes and the body, bi-cultural identity, mestizaje, and Native and Jungian spiritual philosophy. What I hope people take from my work is a sense of connection to both the ancient and the future; the inherent spiritual power within us as humans and a feeling of hope for discovering and rediscovering it during our time on this earth.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
I think a big challenge facing artists today is one of balance. Our political and societal climate has been in upheaval both as a country and as a global civilization. Many communities throughout America, mainly communities of color, have been further disenfranchised and traumatized by our current administration, and as result, artists and activists have been at the forefront of suturing these wounds. This kind of work undoubtedly has negative effects on the bodies and minds of the individuals involved, and questions about our ability to provide solutions (and how) seem to bubble up at every turn of events. Taking hold of social media innovations, independent publishing, and mass communication has been a way to create movements created by the people and for the people despite huge pushback from the political powers that be. Within this push and pull, a balance within us as artists and activists is necessary. A spiritual balance, a balance of health, a balance of immersion in social media and engagement in the physical world, a balance of our place in communities, what role we play, and how to feel empowered by that role within an increasingly complicated, multi-faceted reality we live in.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can find all of my visual work at www.danielariojas.com and music at www.femina-x.com. Our music is on Spotify and the music videos are on our YouTube channel under Femina-X. You can support my work by buying limited edition photographs that I always have available and attending gallery shows, performances, and concerts (cool merchandise available too). I always announce upcoming events on my Instagram page @danielariojas.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danielariojas.com
- Phone: 830-776-1883
- Email: artist.danielariojas@gmail.com
- Instagram: danielariojas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniela.riojas
- Twitter: @danielazaazaa
- Other: @feminaxmusic
Image Credit:
Daniela Riojas
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