Maria Antonia Aracil

Making art allows me to maintain a connection and understanding of my complex self within the wider world.

I am cosmopolitan; I was born and grew up in Spain, a French national and I am a London-adopted citizen for almost all my adult life.

In recent times my artwork has been centred on sculpture and painting. These works have revolved around socio-political, and cultural issues dealing with gender positions and dispositions explored from my point of view as a woman. In a more general topic, I am interested in everything human, the good and the bad, in ecology, society and power.

My work starts with an idea that I develop researching books, the web, and the streets. Looking for parts and references, anything and everything that might be fitting. This creative process is unhurried, the idea has been in my mind for a while and eventually, the missing piece is found in a eureka moment. As the work progresses new problems arise, and new directions are charted; the final piece will metamorphose accordingly.

Making sculptures feels like being a child at play. Forming, transforming, to create an idea into a 3D object and getting messy with my hands. I am also experimenting and working hard in developing my painting abilities. Sometimes, I use my sculptures in my paintings.

I have recycled taps, shoes, heating elements, textiles; mundane wonders, that humans have invented to have an easier life; yet, that insatiable thirst for more might destroy our planet’s permanence.

I hope to achieve for the audience to be amused and surprised, finding something unusual or provocative. The viewer might thus engage and question things whilst enjoying the moment. My sculptures and paintings are laced with humour, irony, sexiness, subtle irreverence, and some forwardness.