10 Questions with Claudia Melo
Since 1990, Claudia Melo has researched how digital language can be used in art. She graduated from the University of Buenos Aires in 1983 with a degree in civil engineering. She took computer-aided design courses at the Catholic University of Chile. In 1994, she started studying symbolic languages like tarot, astrology, and neo-shamanism.
In 2006, she published her own deck of cards: Yu Tarot and in 2008 her book/artist's object: The Tree Alphabet. In 2005, she had her first individual exhibition in the Museum of Fine Arts Eduardo Sívori (Buenos Aires) with the series Yu Tarot. In 2009, she learned Tibetan divination from Yeshe Dorie and later from Khempo Pema Wangdak. That year, she had a solo show about the Mö divination system at Holz Gallery (Buenos Aires).
Her work has been shown in many exhibitions, including the National Museum of Fine Arts (Buenos Aires), Castagnino-Macro Museum (Rosario), Museum of Contemporary Art (Bahía Blanca), Recoleta Cultural Centre (Buenos Aires), Holz Gallery (Buenos Aires), Isidro Miranda Gallery (Buenos Aires), Barceloneta Centre (Barcelona), UADE (Buenos Aires) and others.
She has won several awards: Bahía Blanca Art Biennial 2013 Award, Argentina; Platt Award, Buenos Aires; Expotrastiendas Buenos Aires Photography Award, Buenos Aires; Online Award Solo Exhibition 2009, Cambridge, MA.
She is currently an artist based in Buenos Aires.
Claudia Melo - Portrait
ARTIST STATEMENT
Claudia Melo uses influences from the past mythology, oracles, neo-shamanisms and spiritual searches to create scenes that refer to the symbolic world. The relationships between animals, objects, toys, rooms, and landscapes are the key to communicating the feeling of mystery.
Her work as a 2D and 3D artist, AI artist, animator, collage artist, and multidisciplinary visual artist showcases a fusion of traditional themes with a contemporary flair. She invites us to embark on a journey into a world where past and present converge, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of cultural richness, attempting to transcend conventional boundaries.
Her exploring in a purely 3D medium allows her the freedom to combine ideas, shapes, materials, textures and cameras positions that are not constrained by the limitation of the physical world.
Is anyone out there?, Digital Print on Canvas, 90 cm x 120 cm, 2012 © Claudia Melo
INTERVIEW
First of all, can you share a bit about your journey as an artist? What initially inspired you to pursue a career in art?
I consider myself to be a self-taught artist. My encounter with designing digital images on the computer and exploring printing my work in various media was the beginning of my formal relationship with art. In the 90s, I met some electroacoustic musicians and composers who allowed me to explore the possibilities between animation and sound. The experiences we had motivated me to continue a personal search for art.
You have been involved with digital art long before it became extremely popular. What drew you to this medium?
I created my first works when digital art was not yet an artistic category. At that time this type of innovative expressionslacked legitimacy. Progressively, institutional spaces were including the new media. I was attracted by the technical resources of 3D. The creation of spaces, objects, textures, light variations, camera positions stimulated me to materialize images that articulate the real and the fantastic.
Monkey, Digital Print on Paper, 50 cm x 70 cm, 2019 © Claudia Melo
How do you keep up to date with the latest technologies and innovations?
My effort consists of making the most of some graphic design programs that are no longer in use. On the other hand, the accelerated process of computer updating requires me to undergo permanent training through tutorials, forums, consultations, and exchanges. Due to the possibility offered by virtual communications, I can improve my artistic perspective and strengthen my technical learning.
In your statement, you mention past mythology, oracles, neo shamanisms, and spiritual searches as your primary sources of inspiration. Can you tell us more about these?
My artwork manifests itself in parallel with my inner journey of self-knowledge. For this, I have explored various disciplines such as Buddhism, Taoism, Astrology, Tarot, and other symbolic systems. Shamans, Gnostics, monks, and mystics serve as mediators between the here and the hereafter. My images are, therefore, an innovative record of transpersonal experiences.
The Endless Auspicious Knot, Digital Print on Canvas, 100x100 cm, 2010 © Claudia Melo
The Tone of Vayras, Digital Print on Canvas, 100x100 cm, 2012 © Claudia Melo
What does your creative process look like? Do you have any particular rituals or routines that help you get into a creative mindset?
In general, I rely on a systemic method. My production is divided into a set of well-defined thematic series, such as the Yu Tarot or the Mö oracle. Other series are based on a more comprehensive concept that allows them to be expanded over time. The main sources of my creative process are usually readings from various disciplines such as psychology, anthropology, or philosophy. Shamanic visions, dreams, and non-ordinary experiences of consciousness also play a fundamental role in my artistic expression.
How would you describe your artistic style? And how has it evolved over time?
My artistic style is close to a certain aesthetic of metaphysical painting. The balance between light and shadow, the relationship between objects and space, the link between figure and background, and the chromatic contrast derive in a harmonious and challenging composition. The diversity of images is subject to my interests in different thematic fields. My evolution through time implied the exploration of other media such as objects, installations, collages and animations.
Are there any recurring themes or messages in your work? What are you trying to communicate through your art?
The esoteric and the oracular are themes present in my work. I am giving a testimony of the notion of the liminal through images. In this case the liminal represents the transition between the human and another superior, parallel or superimposed world. A phrase that we have heard a lot and that says: "to live in this world, but not to be of this world",synthesizes the message that I try to communicate through my work.
Joker, Object. 20x9x12 cm, 2012 © Claudia Melo
What has been one of the biggest challenges you've faced as an artist, and how did you overcome it?
In my beginnings as a digital artist, I had to elaborate technical explanations to validate both the procedure used and the artistic result. As my first works were printed on canvas, they caused doubts to categorize it: is it a painting, an engraving or a photograph? This question was resolved when digital art became an accepted trend.
What are your future goals or projects you are excited about?
I am excited about exploring AI to expand creativity.
And lastly, where do you see your art taking you in the next few years?
I don't know, but I aspire to do multidisciplinary work.
Artist’s Talk
Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.
