Andrea Valencia is an artist and activist working in Portugal. Her work speaks strongly to issues of decolonisation and feminism. Through art and activism that seeks to challenge the current world order, Andrea’s work explore new ways to reconstruct the fabric of human society. In the spirit of connecting with other moralists across the planet, I interviewed Andrea about her life and work. Andrea speaks Portuguese and only limited English. While I speak only English and nothing else! But somehow we managed to share some ideas and explore some of the vision and inspiration behind Andrea’s work as a change maker.
Critiquing capitalism and cultural colonialism is obviously important to you. Can you tell me more about that? How does this inspire your art?
Some time ago I came across the theories of Decolonization. These helped me to rethink the neoliberal system that is currently imposed on the planet. As a Latin American artist it is impossible for me not to give voice to fact that America has an important socio-cultural legacy that almost was erased from history.
I CONSIDER MY WORK TO BE A DOCUMENT THAT SPEAKS TO THOSE IDENTITIES THAT HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CURRENT SOCIAL-ECONOMIC GLOBAL WORLD ORDER.
This is what interests me. I consider my work to be a document that speaks to those identities that have been manipulated for the benefit of the current social-economic global world order. Through governance practices associated with these identities, we are offering one alternative to the perverse set of values typical of neoliberalism.
Some of your artwork seems to be about proclaiming a positive and powerful vision of women and femininity. Can you tell me more about that? Could you mention some of your artworks in particular?
Art and artists are a source of information and a focus of critical thinking. As an artist, I assume this responsibility as a political practice. In order to develop a political voice with validity, we must draw on personal experience. So it is from my locus of experience as a woman that I can talk knowingly and encounter the process of struggle and offer real opportunity for intervention. My identity as a Latin American artist is the starting point for identifying the causes that call me. Yet I also assume the cause of the women, without a doubt. The issues that impact on and violate women also give me strength to continue with my work. Some works such as Powerful Hand, Sisterhood or Ayda talk about the need to join in a clear and conscious way in the processes of reconstructing the fabric of society.
Can you tell me about other cultural and social influences in your art work and your activism?
The Colombian painter Debora Arango was a first influence for me, both on the thematic and formal level. The rebellious and raw energy of her work continues to give me courage at the time of producing images. Later, the Guerrilla Girls collective and much of women’s work in anonymous graffiti in different cities in the world have motivate me to look languages and approaches outside the ‘white cube’.
Tell me about your community of artists/activists? What sort of network artists and activists do you have?
I am connected with some spiritual practitioners who I connected with through shamanism, but also through the Academy. As a teacher of the Fine Art, I regularly hold workshops where we engage with issues specific to women, both at a theoretically and ritual level. These meetings overflow with creativity and the active life force of those who are attending. These occasions are spaces of great activity as we question and search for answers as a group. I am currently doing a master’s degree study on Women in the Nova University, in Lisbon Portugal, shyly but confidently, I’m exploring a space from which to take voice.
COLOMBIA, MY COUNTRY CURRENTLY HAS A BLOODY INTERNAL CONFLICT WHERE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE ARE OBSTACLES FOR THE “DEVELOPMENT ” OF MEGA-MINING AND OTHER LARGE SCALE EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
I visited your Facebook page and noticed mention to shamanism. Can you tell me more about this and your take on spirituality?
Shamanism is a philosophy of life related to ancestral indigenous peoples across the world. Colombia, my country currently has a bloody internal conflict where indigenous people are obstacles for the “development ” of Mega-mining and other large scale exploitation of natural resources. As I explored to this indigenous Indian philosophy, I found a source of secrets about our relationship with nature.
THROUGH SEEKING TRUTH ITSELF, THE SHAMAN GAINS KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT AND WHO WE ARE, AND THEIR ONENESS WITH ALL CREATION. FROM THAT PLACE, EVERYTHING IS CLEARER.
These discoveries are performed through very serious and physically demanding ritual practices. Through seeking Truth itself, the Shaman gains knowledge of what and who we are, and their oneness with all creation. From that place, everything is clearer.
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Note: The opinions expressed in this article are Andrea Valencia’s or the author’s own and do not reflect the official views, policy or position of Ananda Marga.
