Artist of the Month - Mauricio A. Rodriguez

3 years ago

- what was the first photography book you bought?

Sex by Madonna. Funny enough it was a book I was never able to see till my mid to late 20s after coming out. I had asked my sister to buy me the book and when my dad found out, he got rid of it for being ‘obscene'. I was really drawn to the layering images inspired by Andy Warhol. Soon I realized that this type of effect will define me as an artist myself. So after that huge failure, I was drawn to the concept of appropriation, therefore I dived into Richard Prince's Cowboys.

- what is your favourite colour?

I'm not a very colorful person. I think I'm loud enough, however as I get older, I realize I'm dressing according to the seasons and places I visit.

- who are your photographic influences?

My brain works non-stop. Based on emotions and gut feelings I am constantly imagining and creating content in my head that leads to endless sleepless nights and tons of stress. So when you think of the early years of propaganda and protests, you automatically get into the collage. The DaDa movement, Picasso etc. That overwhelming collection of thoughts and ideas, in a medium to try to convey something beyond how the eye or the mind can see or feel.

- if you could buy any photograph which would it be?

Without a doubt any of the Cowboy Collections by Richard Prince.

- your favourite holiday destination?

Wow, this is a loaded question. I was born a traveller. From the early years through my beautiful Venezuela, South and North America. Europe, Asia and Africa, have so much to offer and to explore. At this moment in time, I will have to say Africa. Kenya to be precise. I am currently developing a property there to spend some time to raise funds for wildlife through my photography.

- if there is one living person you could photograph who would it be?

Gregory Crewdson for sure. His cinematic eye and sets are, at times, incomprehensible. So I'd love to take him out of his element and see who he really is, since his work is so heavily staged.

- what is your guilty pleasure?

As seen in my work, social media voyeurism. I'm always trying to see beyond what people try to convey or expose of themselves on all social media platforms.

- what is your favourite city?

I find myself in Africa again. Perhaps Marrakesh and Luxor. The historic and cultural aspect of these, is so raw, creative & inexplicably complex, that being part of it is simply a dream.

- which charities do you support?

I'm currently invested in the huge crisis the Planet is currently on. Both wildlife and land are on the verge of no turning back. If it is not too late already. I truly believe that humanity has completely lost the concept of equality, respect and acceptance. I believe that, until we learn to respect the core nature of our existence, NATURE, we will never be able to achieve the above mentioned. And when you think about it, the solution is not that hard. Think about the past year and half with covid and what happened to the planet when we were forced to a complete hold. Give nature a chance, she'll do the rest.

See all Mauricio A.Rodriguez artworks here