We were lucky to catch up with Johana Moscoso recently and have shared our conversation below.
Johana, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. How did you find purpose?
When I think about purpose, it feels like something that emerges in those magical moments when everything aligns and things happen effortlessly and everything makes sense. These moments are not generously available for many artists; we have to create these moments through effort. Achieving this sense of magic is neither simple nor easy. As artists, we juggle multiple roles simultaneously at a fast pace. However, I am convinced that habits, consistency, and repetition are key to awakening and nurturing purpose.
Being connected with others who share a similar relationship with art is also crucial for finding purpose in my practice. For me, one person who has been especially vital is my partner and outstanding artist, Scott A. Carter. His devotion to his studio and his work is inspiring, and his support is invaluable. Additionally, I am truly grateful to have a strong and cherished community of artists, friends, and family who provide essential support and they give me purpose.
A fundamental aspect of my relationship with art is that every element of my work is grounded in a conceptual framework related to a personal and intimate landscape. As the expert in this landscape, I find it easier to navigate with honesty. Consequently, creating art becomes a constant necessity which I believe is part of the purpose you are asking about.
I also find purpose in the process of my projects. The concepts, media, materials, and techniques of each of my projects stem from an urgency to develop narratives relevant to the specific project. As a project-based artist, each project consists of various artworks that interrelate and contribute to the overall narrative.
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 am an artist from Bogotá, Colombia, now living and working in Memphis, TN. As a multidisciplinary artist, I operate within a conceptual framework using fibers and textiles, performance, and video to create large-scale projects. My art practice is very personal and relates to my experiences as a Latine immigrant, my family history, and the natural environments of the places where I reside.
Colors have become a vibrant aspect of my work, influenced by my experiences living in the American South. Along with animals that have become the fauna where I lived. This includes numerous domestic animals that are trying to survive and constantly come to my porch looking for shelter, water and food.
My work includes intricate embroidery tapestries that tell stories about immigration, flora, and fauna. I use performance as drawings; Latin dancing materials leave traces and testimonies on sculptures and fiber pieces. While the performance is executed I document these rituals and make video performances. I also make abstract videos, some of which commemorate Latinx people that I admire.
You can enjoy my work in person and online. View my first retrospective on the Tennessee Arts Commission website, and watch the artist talk I gave about it (link: https://tinyurl.com/yeyars6v) My work is also displayed at the Memphis International Airport and the White Haven Library in Memphis. If you’re in Memphis and would like to visit my studio, please contact us at [email protected]. Virtual studio visits are also available per request via email
You can appreciate my work as much as I do at www.johanamoscoso.com
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?
Understand Your Patterns or Seasons: Recognize the different seasons of your creative process. Some seasons are for creation, research, connection, and administrative tasks, among others. The administrative season can detract from your creative time, but learning how to manage these cycles can help you navigate them better. Especially during application season… For me, the production season is the most important and enjoyable, though it often comes with tension due to deadlines. When there are no deadlines, it’s a time to listen to your process, experiment if possible, and allow it to blossom.
Enjoy the Lush: Despite systems that may not always support artists, it’s crucial to remember the intense joy that art-making can bring. This joy varies for each artist and can reveal many answers during the creative trance.
Your Community is vital: It really takes a village to be an artist. I am deeply grateful for all the people and animals that have touched my life and have supported me to be an artist. My wild Colombian family, who continues to be a driving force in my life, my dear friends, some whom I have known since childhood or my undergraduate studies, know me pretty well as a person and as an artist. Often when I am stuck in a concept or/and process, they help me see through areas that I am overlooking. I have few mentors as well, and even a quick call for advice can be invaluable. I also love that in my community we communicate in Spanish, English and/or Spanglish, lucky me.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
A current challenge I’m facing is truly connecting with the right niche for my work. I’m eager to share my art in more spaces where people can engage with it deeply. Having my work included in more public and private collections would greatly support my ability to focus on my practice. It would provide the stability and exposure needed to push my creative boundaries further.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://johanamoscoso.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/johanamoscoso/
Image Credits
Scott A. Carter, Johana Moscoso, Chip Pankey
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
