1xRun Thru Interview
Zobeida by Tatiana Saurez
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale?
Tatiana Saurez: I’m fascinated by religious art. I have a collection of saints and prayer cards. I came across a photograph by Graciela Iturbide titled Nuestra Señora de las Iguanas. The woman in the photo— Zobeida — is portrayed as a saintly being, adorned by her iguanas. The photo itself is empowering and became a symbol of womanhood. This piece was created primarily for the upcoming Pow Wow event. Yes, original will be showing at POW! WOW!: Exploring The New Contemporary Movement, curated by Andrew Hosner of ThinkSpace gallery.
1xRun: When was this piece created and with what materials ?
Tatiana Suarez: This was my first piece of 2014, January. It was made with oil paint (along with some copper leaf) on canvas.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Tatiana Suarez: About two and a half weeks.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Tatiana Suarez: People have been telling me this piece is more mature/realistic compared to previous pieces.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Tatiana Suarez: Iguanas rule.
1xRun: Describe this piece in one gut reaction word.
Tatiana Suarez: Sublime.
1xRun: This will be your first year joining the Pow Wow Hawaii family, who are some of the artists you’re really excited to see painting out there?
Tatiana Suarez: Tristan Eaton, Nychos, Jeff Soto…there are so many! I’m so excited to see these artists working!
1xRun: Anybody you’d personally like to collaborate with if the opportunity presented itself?
Tatiana Suarez: Oh man, I’m a big fan of Nychos & Misery!
1xRun: Have you visited Hawaii before? What are you most looking forward to?
Tatiana Suarez: This will be my second time in Hawaii. I had previously been as a high school senior with my marine biology class. I’m stoked to be traveling and painting, meeting and spending time with so many talented individuals! Also, just being in Hawaii is pretty awesome.
1xRun: Do you have any plans for your wall out there or are you just going to improvise it when you get there?
Tatiana Suarez: I’m in the process of sketching out some ideas, I’m not too good at the improvising thing, haha. I’ll be collaborating with Woes, so we’re shooting some ideas back & forth.
1xRun: You’ve been staying crazy busy per usual, bring us up to speed on some of the walls you’ve been doing lately?
Tatiana Suarez: Things slowed down a bit as 2013 came to a close. I’m currently in the process of brainstorming some ideas for murals that I’ll be painting in the next couple of months.
1xRun: How did 2013 wrap up for you?
Tatiana Suarez: 2013 was a wild year filled with amazing projects & opportunities — I’m so grateful! I wrapped the year up quite nicely spending time with family and friends.\
1xRun: Aside from Pow Wow 2014, what are your plans for the new year?
Tatiana Suarez: Nothing too wild aside from some upcoming mural projects. Now that I’m back in Miami, I’d love to focus on getting more murals up in my hometown! Just paint, paint, paint.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Tatiana Suarez: Website – Facebook – Twitter + Tumblr + Instagram @tatunga
-1xRUN