Artist Statement

For more than twenty years, I have been deeply engaged in the world of paper and its manifold possibilities. My fascination with this material lies in its symbolic significance, cultural meaning, and sculptural potential. Paper, with its unique ability to take on the tactile qualities of skin, metal, stone, or feather, has been a central element in my exploration of memory, identity, and language. Through my work, I strive to uncover how paper can retain and convey the thoughts and memories embedded within its folds.

My artistic research has been centered on expanding the use of paper as a medium, particularly in the realm of three-dimensional and sculptural drawing and writing. I utilize paper pulp as my "ink," rewriting the stories of others, especially those affected by conflict and violence—an exploration deeply rooted in the context of my home country, Colombia. Drawing inspiration from Jorge Luis Borges’ story "Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote," I aim to become both reader and writer, reinterpreting these narratives word by word, to fully embody and understand the profound significance of these voices.

In my work, I have created large-scale calligraphic installations, woven together immigrant testimonies, crafted books from fragments of poetry and literature, traced maps, and composed extensive installations depicting refugees. My thematic focus revolves around migration, communication, and social exclusion, with a particular emphasis on how traumatic experiences can lead to identity crises and fractures in memory. Ultimately, my work seeks to evoke the fragility, voids, absences, and forgetfulness that characterize many life stories, while also highlighting the drama and emotional weight they carry.