Arteles Catalogue 2023-2020

Back to Basics program / JUNE 2023
Maria Carmen Garcia Granados
Mexico
www.instagram.com/carmengarciagranados
About
I was born and currently live in Mexico City. Originally a
graphic designer and working professionally for 15 years, I
evolved into painting and eventually into handmade paper
art.
The natural world is an axis in my work which is intimately
linked to raw material, sometimes directly but more often
transformed or intervened by manual or industrial processes.
The connection between the materials arises from their
reaction when manipulated, and from there comes the
possibility of associating them in a dialogue. Discovering the
distinct language of the elements is an unavoidable path in
my experimentation processes.
I enjoy walking in different landscapes which include woods
and semidesert areas. Here I see the constant changes and
transformation processes along the paths. These changes
take place in my work as a constant sense of movement of
objects of different sizes that revolve around atmospheric
spaces. You can see chaos, but also rhythms that suggest
reordering and peace. I find movement and resilience at the
core of my abstract compositions.
Working in nondigital conditions, unique landscapes and
environment is a one opportunity for me to genuinely express
the character of back-to-basics program.
In sealed movements
All along my stay at Arteles, I felt a deep connection to the
environment. Blending with the wind, water, and natural
movements became a way for me to introspect and flow with
them. I wondered if it was stillness or the very essence of life,
moving and changing in its imperceptible subtle way, that so
overwhelmed me. It was a state of mind that captivated me
throughout June.
Movement has always played a role in my artwork, but it was
the specific moments and surroundings that left a lasting
impact. Nature's direct influence was necessary to capture
these fleeting moments.
I collected rocks, made ink prints of water in Parilanjärvi,
took photos, and gathered objects that kept these moments
in sealed. The marks left by water on various elements
are already present in the earth's topography. Through
observation and interaction with nature, I found a way to
connect with my inner self. This digital-free experience
allowed me to explore and interpret these insights through
drawings, handmade paper, and rock powder. It is a first
approach to future creative progress, and I am so very
grateful.