I met Avi through one of their events at Tropicasa. I believe it was the closing of the exhibition. I was able to look at their work and digest it very well. Catching the subtle details to what they portray within their work. Speaking to Avi and learning more about their work along with learning more about them to then noticing how they even hosted a poetry night which sounds so cool! The only poetry night I remember is untamed tongues by Craft Cultura so it's nice to see poetry come up once again and hopefully again in the future! Avi wishes to do more and that's great to hear! An Avi x Ram Jam collab? We shall see! This weeks feature is Avi, @avii.arte
We begin by Avi sharing about their recent interests as she says "Biking. Listening to music. Napping. Coffee. Catching up with old friends. Connecting with new friends. Cuddling with my doggo, Anchor. Watching my new baby kittens, Fry and Yami, grow. Watching One Piece, Daria, and movies I’ve never seen. And taking breaks with nature." As I'm writing this I'm dead tired haha I totally agree on the "nap." We also got kittens! My mom named them, but she hasn't told me. Is my mom really gatekeeping their names? It's very nice to reconnect, huh? I've done this recently as well and I'm trying to reconnect with some old friends as well. Even if its to ask how they are doing.
Avi continues by shouting out a couple of creatives/local establishments as well "First, I would like to give a huge shoutout to Debbie (@bbydeb) - She has truly been one of my biggest inspirations throughout my art journey. She’s a very kind-hearted and patient person and friend and has helped me grow immensely as an artist. I wouldn’t be where I am now without her. I’m also extremely honored to have put up our gallery (it being my first), El Rumbo De Mi Sangre with her. I’m a complete novice at it, but her experience and expertise really took this to another level! I’m grateful and thankful and constantly inspired by her raw talents!"
More big shoutouts to: Aimee (@girlmeetsglobe_) - for her friendship, creative mind, and for always knowing what to say. Her determination and dedication to helping the environment, going zero-waste, and cleaning up our local beaches are beyond amazing!
Some new friends I’ve met, Marc (@pink.bunny.marc), Nataly (@mel.an.chol.yyy), and Claire (@chumscrubber3.0) - for their constant support, inspiration, and artistic talents! They’re all truly the sweetest human beings and their art is awe-mazing, to say the least!
Dami - for her continuous support from the very beginning! For her poetic voice, written talents, help with the gallery, and so much more! Thank you for everything!
To local actress and booming model, Mitzi (@mitzi.venus) for her kind-heartedness and friendship. She’s a true gem!
Princess (@cybellearts) - talented artist, events coordinator, art teacher, musician, and small businesswoman extraordinaire!
Last but not least, to Maryblu @maryblumusic - So grateful made it all the way from ATX to perform. Her beautiful spirit blessed the heck out of McAllen with her music!
We begin by asking Avi about her art style along with her artwork as she says "It’s hard for me to describe my art at times since it’s transformed a lot from years ago until now. I guess the best way to go about it is by speaking in terms of emotion. Most of my artwork comes from a place of emotional release. As far as style goes, a good friend from Denver (shoutout to @matilde.makesmusic), described my art as free and expressive having a weird/trippy vibe. I really appreciate and agree with her viewpoint!" As she says "best way to go about it is by speaking in terms of emotion." As we will get in touch with a bit further into the feature, but it is something I did notice and especially within the details of Avi's work. When it comes to work it is a form of expression. It's a way to invite us into your own world. A glance of what's in your perspective. Even with this people connect with it. There is one piece in particular that we will talk about that connected with me "speaking in terms of emotion."
As Avi works on a piece what does she feel needs to be there for it just "feel complete" as she explains "That’s a pretty tough question. Sometimes I don’t feel like any of my paintings are ever complete. I’ve had paintings that I thought were done, but I worked on them years later and gave them a new life, so to speak. I think it just depends on the painting." Hey I mean if you want to keep adding to it years later! There's no rules in the art book! Grade in art class don't mean shit. So yeah! If you want to go back and change up your work go for it! If the piece that's "complete" resembles a part of life or an experience well there's always something new. You can take that and transform it to what has changed. It's your expression. As an artist you'll feel it's complete when it just "feels" like it.
At the event at Tropicasa I gazed upon
and looking closely you can see the writing within the piece which is very subtle. What does Avi wish to convey? What emotion/thought would Avi like to evoke from the viewer as well? As she says"This piece is one of the most personal pieces I have created. I wanted to let the viewer feel a point in my life when I felt stuck, trapped, filled with darkness. The trauma I endured during that time 'continues to haunt me' at times, bubbling up to the surface to remind me that I am still healing from it all. But I am no longer afraid to face that darkness. I welcome the healing, even when it’s difficult to feel it all." Looking at this piece as Avi mentions "I wanted to let the viewer feel a point in my life when I felt stuck, trapped, filled with darkness." We can have an experience in our lives that's unforgettable, but as Avi finishes off "I welcome the healing, even when it’s difficult to feel it all." As the viewer, as an individual of course I have my own problems. I have my own experiences, but I was able to connect with this piece. No matter what I or what we may have gone through we can "welcome the healing, even when it's difficult to feel it all." Feel free to express yourselves.
What are Avi's thoughts as an artist showing "vulnerability" in their work and the importance of it as an artist? As I am looking through Avi's pieces and noticing self-portraits and the idea of freedom from one's past which may be personal to Avi as she shares her thought. "I believe that art is vulnerable in and of itself. As artists, our art is an extension of who we are, therefore a certain amount of vulnerability may be needed. Then again, some art is made from the simple act of creation, rather than self-expression. I guess it all depends on the artist to make that call. Personally, I am a pretty emotional person and that tends to translate in my art." I agree with Avi sometimes there just isn't a meaning when it comes to art as my favorite quote that I share is "isnt the point of art what less what people put into and more what people get out of it" because at the end of the day even tho there might not be any "real" meaning behind the piece as the viewer we'll end up sometimes making up or anyone or feeling something out of it which is interesting. In the end when it comes to expressing yourself don't be afraid to be vulnerable because as Avi says "art is an extension of who we are."
Following up with the previous question, what do you think is the importance of the viewer looking upon your piece and maybe even finding it relatable or in a sense having a connection? "I think it’s pretty neat when people let me know how they feel about my art. During the opening night of our gallery, a few people expressed their connection to my pieces, most thoughts of which, surprised me. That being said, I don’t think it’s absolutely important, but it is a bonus when others connect with your work." It must be nice though even though at the end of the day that isn't really the goal since it's for yourself majority of the time. I always like to share my thoughts about artwork or even if it's just one piece and having the conversation from Artist to Viewer.
What made you interested in hosting your art exhibition at Tropicasa? How does it feel planning and seeing the outcome?
"I didn’t really know about Tropicasa until I moved back to the valley. Debbie and I wanted to collaborate on a show, so we put our artist portfolios together and sent an email to Tropicasa and everything else was history. I am appreciative of the experiences I gained from hosting events as well. The people who showed up were extremely vulnerable on the stage, so it was beautiful to witness that. All in all, it was one big learning experience and I’m grateful for it." It really is a learning experience. From my first time hosting an in person event since everything before then has been virtual which I guess I would call my roots? There really is a lot to learn and a lot to grow with when it comes to hosting. It's interesting to see those who are "shy" and "extremely vulnerable on stage" but then they begin and it all just disappears or even when it comes to their artwork on the walls or vending.
From poetry night to a pop up event what else do you have in mind?
I want to focus on bringing certain issues to light through my art, such as climate change and sustainability. I’ll also continue my work as a writer/story producer on a documentary film with my cherished friends from New York (shoutout to Amanda @amandasarabia, Taha @tahalong, and Ana @_analand). It’s been a work in progress for a little over a year now. It’s called Enemy in the Ranks and surrounds the topic of military sexual trauma. I honestly can’t wait to see what the future has in store for this film! There’s so much I want to do - poetry workshops (super inspired by the event Marci @marcidearte and Jose @endlessb1isss hosted at Roosevelt's), get back to my theatre roots, etc. The opportunities are endless." I honestly what the future has in stored for film in the valley! I do have hopes for Entre and their goal. When it comes to the "opportunities are endless" they really are. We do love a good show, but it's nice to experience something different once in awhile or even a different sound. There certainly is too many ideas, but all in due time!
How does Avi wish to grow as an artist as she explains,
"Bringing the community together brought me so much joy, so I would like to continue honing in on my organizational skills as a potential events coordinator in the valley and beyond. I would also love to take art classes (since I’m self taught) and open my artistic world to as many art styles and techniques as I can learn!"
Yes! More coordinators! We all have different ideas and interests! We can all surely bring something to the table. Avi certainly has ideas for seeing her a valley event coordinator will be very interesting.
Is there anything Avi wishes to experiment with?
"Pottery. Three-dimensional art. Digital art. Dancing. Film. Candle-making. Journalism. Fiction and non-fiction writing. Anything that allows me to create, really." I still need to make pottery at the Carla Hughes studio one day! I still want to learn with Entre and how film works. There just so much. I wish us well to what we wish to learn and experience.
Avi finishes off by sharing her thoughts on the local valley scene,
It’s really growing. I lived in Austin, Texas for seven years and in Denver, Colorado for one. I never really managed to break into the scene in these cities, mostly from being in school or working too much to pay the bills. It wasn’t on my mind back then. Coming back home after living in these big cities and noticing the amount of change and growth from the valley is pretty inspirational. There’s such immense talent here, and this talent needs to be recognized!
She adds in one final comment,
Be kind to yourself and others. Be kind and support your fellow artists and small businesses. They work so hard.
Don’t forget to love yourself and take breaks! We’re living in tough times and self-love and compassion go a long way.
Always be yourself and stand up for what you deserve.
Much love.
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