We can already tell you that 2024 is arriving full of creativity at La Clandestina. In this new phase, we're excited to present CREATIVE MOVEMENT, a space dedicated to non-resident artists that aims to amplify their voices and share their talent with the community. To launch the section, we were especially excited to interview Popi Leguizamón. Popi, together with Vale Wilsong teamed up to paint the first mural in La Clandestina's garden! From today until 15 February you can enjoy her exhibition at La Clandestina.
Stay with us and discover Popi's story.
To begin, could you share with our readers your artistic vision and how you define yourself as a creator? Is there a particular message or theme you try to convey through your work?
In my work, I like to draw strong, free-spirited characters, with touches of humour, phrases and a little mysticism. I explore by exaggerating bodies, expressions and perspectives. I also enjoy creating imaginary spaces and dimensions with animals, music and elements of the universe that invite introspection. In my illustrations you'll almost always find elements like stars, portals, fire, prominent hair and vinyl records. I think my artistic approach reflects my courage, my strength and my sensitivity.
I always try to take on new challenges and show myself to the world as I am. I think that, beyond the message my drawings try to convey, what I value most about my role as an artist is feeling that I can inspire others to dare to do what they're truly passionate about, overcoming the fears and blocks that keep us from our deepest desires and from our search.
Speaking of your creative process, where do you find inspiration for your work? Is there any ritual or routine you follow before you start creating?
Everything I create comes from a deeply personal and authentic place, from the emotions life's circumstances trigger to the sensations I experience when I connect with music. In my search, I try to turn fears and insecurities into cathartic, healing drawings.
I find inspiration in the universe, in animals and in my own perspective on life as a girl born in the 90s: always a bit nostalgic, always a fan of the things I love and always dealing with a contradictory mix of emotions.
I don't have specific rituals when I create, but I always make sure to schedule quality time to sit down and draw and explore my ideas with lots of curiosity and freedom. By giving quality time to this creative process so freely, I notice how my sense of personal freedom expands at the same time. It's as if my artistic self were constantly winking at my everyday self. This enriches not only my artistic expression but also my connection with myself and with the outside world.
Now, we'd love to know more about your most recent projects. Could you share one or two projects you've worked on and are especially proud of?
So far, the two projects I'm proudest of are: (Note: the titles link to the projects)
- URBAN OUTFITTERS: One of my illustrations was selected to appear in the magazine of one of my all-time favourite brands: Urban Outfitters. This has allowed my illustration to reach shops and homes across Europe, including Spain, Germany, the UK, France, Switzerland and more.
- SHOP KAMIKAZE MURAL: I recently painted the façade of the Kamikaze Cosmética shop, a well-known natural cosmetics brand, on one of the loveliest corners of my city (Buenos Aires). It was a beautiful project in which we managed to merge my style with their concept and create a spectacular façade full of illustrations and hidden messages.
Throughout your career, you've surely faced challenges. Could you share a particularly challenging experience and how it influenced your artistic development?
The first time I decided to paint a mural, I had no idea what to expect and had lots of doubts. Painting at a large scale, I not only had huge distractions from the street but also lots of onlookers, which made it doubly challenging. As always, I tried to prepare as well as I could and have all the tools I needed to manage in the best possible way. In the end, it was not only a successful and hugely fun experience, but it also marked a before and after in my life as an artist.
A love of street art took hold of me, and since that day I haven't stopped bringing my creativity to the streets and growing in this environment, exploring new techniques and connecting with many incredible artists and experiences. What at first seemed too challenging, I now enjoy like few other things in life, and the experience always leaves me charged with an energy that's hard to put into words.
Art often reflects society and culture. How do you see your role as an artist in the community? And what do you think about the current direction of art and its impact on society?
As I said at the beginning, what I enjoy most about my role as an artist is feeling that I can motivate others to explore, venture into new experiences and make time to do the things they love.
I think art and our work, one way or another, always reflect who we are and what stage we're going through, so I do think they're a reflection of our society. Not only what we say with art, but how, with what media, technologies and so on. I believe art always arises as an inevitable response to what's happening out in the world. I also think that in a society designed to keep us behind a screen, in a hurry and full of fears and worries, creating art is, for me, a total act of rebellion.
My mother, who is also an artist, once told me: «Art is what makes life always take an unexpected turn.» And the more years go by, the more I realise how right she was.
