We recently spoke to Ane Alfeiran, a remarkable artist from Mexico City, currently working in Hong Kong. Her intensely colorful artworks join together painting and drawing between abstraction and representation.
"My mum is an artist so art has always been a big part of my life. I grew up surrounded by artworks and practicing art in some form almost on a daily basis. When I was a child, we would constantly visit museums and exhibitions - a practice that has continued though adulthood. Whilst I don’t have a formal artistic training, a lot of my knowledge, inspiration and creativity has come from constantly traveling, experiencing new cultures and viewing and creating art in the real world."
VALUES /// PROBLEMS
What are three fundamental values that you would like to embrace throughout your career?
This is a tough question! I think tolerance, honesty and love?
What are three relevant problems that you wish to solve or improve with the help of your work?
In 2019 I started Xoloplastics, a nonprofit project that promotes community development, social inclusion and sustainability through the creation of unique pieces of art made from recycled plastic.
Ane Alfeiran answers questions related to our #PSYCHE campaign
Do you believe that conversations and the practice of exchanging ideas are essential to your creative process?
One hundred percent. I draw inspiration from everything in my life – from contact with other cultures to other artists’ works, but I think the exchange of ideas and interchange of thoughts and beliefs is what makes me grow as an artist and as a person, making my work more insightful and meaningful.
Do you believe that the materialization of an idea is more important than the concept behind it?
I think there are different types of art and artistic expression, but all meaningful and transcendent works comes from an idea the artist wants to communicate. As artists, we try to do things with images in order to understand the world. Sometimes the concepts are deeper and more important than the physical work itself, however I do believe it’s essential to have a balance between the concept and the artwork itself. As a self-taught artist, I sometimes find relief in the fact that I am able to get away from the over-theorized context of artwork and focus on expressing what I want without over-analyzing the work.
Does looking outside of your environment - considering culture, community, profession - help your creative process more than staying within your circle?
Exploring new cultures, communities and different points of views is what keeps me questioning my own reality and what inspires my work.
Do you think that sharing your creative abilities is your responsibility?
I don’t really feel responsibility as much as fortunate.I feel privileged to have the opportunity to share my creative views freely and have people respond to them in a positive way.
SUCCESS
I think for me, success is having the opportunity to continue to grow as a person and as an artist. Having the courage to explore new ideas, get out of my comfort zone to create new exciting work and continue to evolve.
This interview contributes to a new media format, where Creatives are in full control of their narratives. By exploring alternatives to narrative journalism, GAHSP starts unconventional conversations, emphasizing values and problems that shape our lives collectively.
Written and Edited by Julia Horvath
Image Courtesy of Ane Alfeiran