Friday, March 14, 2025
Exchanges with Krystal Rodriguez:
1. How do inanimate objects and fragments in your environment contribute to the autobiographical nature of your work?
I feel that inanimate objects have an origin story, just like we do as human beings. I believe personal objects hold an energy and I use them as symbols in my work to represent ideas or people in my life. I combine objects with fragments from the interior of my home, as well as my exterior organic environment. I have a kinship to flora and fauna and like to bleed parts of nature into my work to provide a sense of warmth. My interior and exterior environment inform my state of being and my identity. Where I am in relationship to the rest of the world is ever evolving, giving me a consistent source for inspiration.
2. What was the process like for you in using painting as a way to process depression, and how did your therapist guide you through it?
It was a little uncomfortable for me at first because I had to release the idea of making art for my career, and instead embrace making art for the benefit of my mental health. I would meet with my therapist once a week and share my artwork with her. Based on the colors and forms I used she could identify the state of mind I was in when I made it. We would discuss it and use it as a base for our sessions.
3. What inspired the title “Peace by Piece” for your series of abstract landscape paintings?
The title was inspired by finding inner peace and silencing my mind, through making a piece of artwork, step by step.
4. Can you describe the imaginary realm you depict in your compositions, and how does it symbolize hope and clarity?
The imaginary realm I depicted in this series consisted of simplified depictions of a sky, mountains, hills, and a body of water. The top and bottom half of each painting was separated by a heart rate that would reflect in the water, represented human connection. As the series developed, I started incorporating an object or an organic form in the center of each piece. I find tranquility in nature, and have always wanted to live in a place where the terrain wasn’t flat. So, I would imagine this place in my mind, and the image would help me think more clearly and remove the fog in my head. It would also give me hope because as I made this series my mental health was gradually improving.
5. How do you balance the themes of human connection and disconnection in your work, especially within the context of your personal experiences?
As a person who has struggled with mental health issues for the majority of my adolescent and adult life, it can feel isolating and can create separation and disconnection with your loved ones. However, it can also be a catalyst that creates a wholesome, supportive community that consists of authentic human connections. Through symbolism I mirror these themes in my work, depending on which polarity I’m experiencing.
6. How has your education and experience at Florida International University influenced your artistic practice, particularly in the field of painting? and how do you plan to reach them?
Studying Fine Arts at FIU strengthened my artistic practice and helped me find my voice through painting. I will always be grateful to the close connections I made there with colleagues and professors that are still a part of my life today. I was always artistic, but when I made it my major in college and made it my career path, I made it my mission to remain authentic in my work, and always create from a place of truth.
7. Can you share more about your experience as the Ekard Artist-in-Residence at
Bucknell University and how it impacted your work?lbox?
My experience at Bucknell is one that I will always hold dear and always be grateful for. I was able to extract inspiration from a new environment, and make new connections with students and professors from another part of the country. I participated in an artist lecture where I introduced my previous work with the students and faculty, and the residency culminated with an exhibition at the University’s art gallery. The work I made while I was there was very experimental and unique to my practice. I made a series of paintings on handmade paper and incorporated a collage element using organic material from the area. I also incorporated polaroid photographs that I took to document my time there.
8. Your work has been exhibited in various locations across the country—how do you feel your art resonates differently with audiences in different places, like Miami compared to Wisconsin?
I feel that I consciously and unconsciously use colors and motifs that reflect my natural environment in Miami. I find that if my audience is from South Florida the work is more relatable. However, if my audience is from outside–because Miami is so unique in comparison to the rest of the country, I feel my audience is more intrigued by the work, because it’s more alien to them. Of course, there are exceptions to this generalization.
9. What inspired you to create the Miami-based artist collective, and how do you ensure it remains a safe space for local and native Miami artists?
During the pandemic the isolation and lack of community was truly affecting humanity. And I felt that artists, in particular, needed community more than ever. So, I decided to create a virtual artist community that met via Zoom once a month and shared ideas and themes related to art. We would also share artwork created and have art talks/critiques. Eventually, once things started opening up and normalizing, we started meeting in person. We collaborated with other organizations and hosted art workshops. And eventually we started exhibiting as a collective in local galleries and institutions. I ensure that it remains a safe space for local artists by curating its members and making sure that we are a collaborative and supportive team that embraces diversity and authenticity.
10. How does the collective showcase and support the work of Miami’s artistic community, and what kind of impact do you hope it has on the local art scene?
I showcase and feature local artists on my Instagram community art page @hot_stuf11, and also exhibit work by local artists at various galleries and institutions throughout South Florida. I want Miami art collectors to support local, emerging artists, opposed to only collecting work from established or secondary market artists. I also want to inspire people outside the artist community to support artists. But above all, my main mission is to create a collaborative, supportive, and authentic community of artists that grow and evolve together.
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