Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vero Murphy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Vero, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from understanding that our time in this life is finite, it will run out, so we shouldn’t waste it. Pessimism paralyzes us, does not allow us to move forward, to grow… So, even in the worst conditions, it is always better to focus on the positive side of things and to be confident that favorable results will come.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I was born in Argentina, I also lived in Brazil for a period of 4 years, and in 2014 I moved to Miami, where I currently live and work. As a relevant new project, I’ve been working on my first artist’s book, which includes one of my most recent series of paintings: “Cultures in friction”. This series of paintings develops its concept on the symbolic value of the materials used; “yerba mate tea” and gold leaf, an abstract language connecting historical tensions between cultures in Latin America. The yerba mate, originally consumed by the “Guaranies” in northeastern Argentina, represents the sacred relationship of the natives with the territory. The gold, symbol of civilization, but also of the greed of the conquerors that led to historical violence that is a part of the Latin American identity. The series is an invitation for cultural dialogue, based on the recognition and respect for our differences. Working with Aluna Curatorial Collective on this project, has been a very enriching process. I hope to have it published soon.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I believe that perseverance and resilience are very important skills for an artist. The journey is solitary in most of the cases, and it demands discipline and a strong mindset to self-motivate every day. Being methodical and coherent in your practice it is also important to build a solid body of work. Time will tell if you will succeed or not, so enjoying the process is the most important thing for me, it is what you have today.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I think most of the artists face the same challenge, which is the economic aspect of the profession. How to distribute your time, which as I told you before is finite, to explore, investigate, develop your work but at the same time to cover your expenses and to make your practice sustainable over time. I see the effort and time that not only visual artists but also curators, writers, musicians and all those who do intellectual work put into making and it is not equivalent at all to the financial return. Of course, the satisfaction of the work done is priceless for all of us.
Contact Info:
- Website: veromurphy.com
- Instagram: vero_murphy_art
Image Credits
Portrait photo credits : @gipsy_rangel
