Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Cordoba.
Hi Paula, 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 journey as a visual artist weaves together the threads of my questions, background, and passions. Starting out in Buenos Aires, Argentina – a city where architecture plays a particular role in the narrative of our identity – I was drawn to the intricate designs adorning old buildings. The faded charm of the facades in the southern neighborhoods held a particular allure, offering a window into times and places that awakened my curiosity. Beyond architectural fascination, as a child, I found myself immersed in the world of museums and artifacts, like pieces of a puzzle waiting to be solved. Over time, this curiosity evolved into a passion for art, design, and cultural heritage.
This has crafted a diverse background, blending academic pursuits with hands-on experiences in museums, exhibitions, and artistic practice. I came to realize that those neoclassical embellishments on buildings were far more than mere ornamentation; they carried values and narratives that shaped our sense of identity in a biased way. This realization ignited a desire to subvert these ideas by using this imagery and reinterpret it in a language that speaks of change and hybridity.
Life, as it often does, led me through different chapters. I embarked on a journey from Buenos Aires to London – where I spent four years and studied at Chelsea College of Arts, UAL – and after coming back to my hometown, later found myself in the United States. Since then, I fully committed to my practice and can sense how each cultural encounter added a new layer to my artistic expression, inspiring me in ways I could not have anticipated.
First, I lived in California, and after settling in Houston for three years, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in Sculpture, reaching my long-term goal of studying at the Royal College of Arts (London). Having just reached this milestone this August, I envision projects that allow me to bridge these two cities and beyond, sparking dialogues across artistic scenes.
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?
As an artist, my primary challenge has been to cultivate my distinct artistic voice and unify my ideas into a cohesive whole. This journey has guided my choices and, at times, may have slowed the process of sharing my work with a wider audience. Nonetheless, it remains essential to me that the work maintains an intimate resonance, regardless of how it might be perceived externally. This process takes the shape of a spiral—a purposeful progression alternating between narrowing focus and embracing expansion. After experimenting with a diverse array of mediums, I transitioned to concentrating on a single material, delving into its limits: a flexible soft resin that has come to define my practice. Subsequently, my work attained a maturity I was eager to share with others. This phase was followed by another in which I began to expand once more while upholding continuity with my earlier work. It is exciting to reintegrate elements from your past self in new and innovative ways.
Guided by a clear creative vision of my next steps, the challenge lies in navigating the art world that captivates me and conquering the spaces where I envision my work flourishing. Being an artist requires substantial resilience, and the obstacles I encountered along the way have forged a determination within me that I had not possessed before.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
As previously mentioned, my practice revolves around connecting art, cultural studies, and design. I focus on creating installations, large format pieces, and objects that cross through these disciplines. I find my inspiration primarily in museum collections and architectural facades, blending them with organic fleshy forms and dripping substances. This mixture gives life to my work, combining theatrical elements, sensory engagement, and a vibrant neo-baroque and rococo aesthetic.
My aim is to craft evocative forms that emphasize hybridity, breaking the barriers between nature and culture, humans and objects, and the internal and external parts of living organisms.
The neoclassical ornaments I incorporate are known for their symmetry, precision, and structured design, often reflecting ideas of order, balance, and rationality. Contrarily, the fleshy organic forms offer a counterpoint, suggesting fluidity and metamorphosis.
I invite viewers to reconsider fixed categories of interpretation and embrace intersections. It has been described by them as “grossly compelling,” “disgustingly beautiful,” and “disturbingly captivating.”
My creation process seamlessly merges generative AI and traditional sculptural techniques, aligning with my exploratory approach. The interplay between randomness and creative control metaphorically mirrors cultural processes.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best? What’s next?
Lately, my work has been stirred by the intense and enriching experience of studying at the Royal College of Arts—an immersive period that surrounded me with incredibly talented peers and immersed me in conversations with leading figures from the international art world. I am still unwrapping everything I have been exposed to. This experience has not only vastly broadened my perspective on sculpture but also heightened my awareness of the multiple art worlds coexisting in the contemporary scene—shaping my identity and aspirations with this fresh comprehension.
Currently, I am deeply focused on creating editions of sculptural objects such as mirrors, tables, and vases, a project titled “Free the Object.” Additionally, I’m eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to work on large-scale installations. My next phase involves incorporating noble materials and traditional crafts into the creation of my pieces.
Last but certainly not least, I feel a renewed desire to collaborate with artists and other professionals from the creative field, opening the door to exciting opportunities and the potential for groundbreaking projects.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.paulacordoba.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulacordoba_/
- Other: www.freetheobject.com
Image Credits
Paula Cordoba
