Magué Calanche, a Mexican American artist, channels her journey into art that bridges tradition and innovation, finding deep satisfaction.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
As a visual artist, I find that working with paper on panel, acrylics, oils, crayons, and wax are among my favorite media. I have been experimenting with totomoxtle (corn husks), adapting them in various ways, as an art installation, as flat structures against wood panels, and have been excited to incorporate other materials, including working with Amate Paper (fig or mulberry bark fibers, historically used by the Maya and the Aztec for codices), and cochineal, and other organic dyes.
Where do you find inspiration?I draw inspiration from Mexican surrealists, the vibrant spirit of alebrijes (brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical, hybrid creatures), and the dreamlike worlds of Hieronymus Bosch. Each step is an act of adventurous curiosity, as I unravel how my Latinx identity emerges from the fusion of pre-Columbian, Spanish colonial, and American traditions. This journey is not just about creation—it's about discovery, dialogue, and celebrating the intricate tapestry of culture.
What would you do with $25,000?The funds would cover my exploration and experimentation in a body of work that is more imaginative, yet informative. Artist fees, travel, research, materials, photography, documentation, and overhead expenses are part of the production process. This work channels my journey into art that bridges tradition and innovation, amplifying the voices of the unseen and turning struggle into celebration and activism.
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