Maria Jose Garcia
Interview with the sculptor based in New York City, USA. The artist makes precarious amalgamations of materials sourced from Mexico, and the United States.
Maria Jose Garcia, is a sculptor and installation artist, making precarious amalgamations of materials sourced from Mexico, and the United States. Maria Jose, was born and raised in Mexico and currently resides in New York City, A recent resident of the Hercules Studio Program 2023-2025 she received an MFA from Hunter College- and the 2022 Eva Hesse Excellence Sculpture Award at Hunter College.
Website: www.mariajosegarciaestevez.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pepinoconchile
Maria Jose Garcia was recommended by Olivia Divecchia (click here to read the interview with Olivia Divecchia).
How would you describe your work?
I would describe my practice as an exploration of materiality, and re-use. The objects and installations I make are from, the re-using of discarded (trash), industrial, and organic materials. I work with materials pertinent to my personal, cross-regional vernacular, opening a space for habitual observations to incite an uncanny slipstream of familiarity and belonging; a deliberate materialization of my relationship to Mexico, my relationship to the United States and my relationship to my body.
What are you working on right now?
I recently moved to a new studio, so I have been setting up (nesting) slowly. I am finding that my new making environment has me thinking about making larger sculptures, which feels exciting. Also my latest things, first things made at the new space, have been some paper paintings.
When you feel stuck, how do you get un-stuck?
I organically seem to set different sections in the studio, when I feel stuck in one I just move to another. Like a playground. My objects are made from the studio; So all and any materials and objects in the studio will be used, transformed and eventually become my art object. However if I am not feeling it or I am getting overwhelmed with things not working. I go outside for a long walk.
What are you curious about? What would you like to explore further?
I am currently exploring the possibility of utilizing living organic materials, specifically moss, and making works that will exist outdoors.
What makes an artwork “good” in your opinion? Why?
I went to see Wilfredo Lam’s retrospective at the MOMA, and it was an enchanting. A watering well filling experience. It has stayed within me like a shield. Entertaining so many emotions, hard to express with words eloquently. However it made me think of my favorite part of any work that seeps into you. One that lingers. It made me want to run to the studio and make.
