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Women’s History Month Spotlight: Stefania Tejadaa Colombian artist and illustrator whose work often speaks on taboo subjects women face.
Your latest series,“The Birth of Venus,” explores how women are confronting the world. How did this series start and why was it distinguished for you to create this series?
All of my work is really personal and it’s a response to very specific moments and transitions. I grew up in a time where it wasnt okay to ask major questions approximately your body or things you felt that are totally normal. There was this huge taboo approximately everything: sexual education, and menstruation,pleasure, depression, or anxiety,homosexuality, etc. I studied in an all-girls tall school with nuns so we really didn’t beget any sort of sexual education. It was all presented as some sort of sin, and in general,parents didnt feel comfortable discussing the subject either.
So in some way, “The Birth of Venus” shows the woman that I am today. I deem approximately the girl I used to be when I was very little, and very shy approximately speaking my intellect or pursuing something I really wanted. But I’ve been lucky. I’ve met very distinguished people in my life who picked my brain,made me deem and understand that I am me, I deserve to live the life I want, or the life I choose to beget. That I can beget my own opinion,that I must speak up, respect myself and respect others. I learned approximately acceptance and forgiveness. I learned to always stay curious, or to work hard,and dream gigantic. I feel very lucky to beget my family and friends.
Can you talk to us approximately your featured artwork and the chronicle behind it? We’re in awe.
This piece was made after Dolce & Gabbana’s statement towards Chinese culture. I was amazed and shocked [by] this way of thinking. For me, understanding other people’s culture is so fascinating. I try to live in different places and learn as much as I can. You need to understand somebody else’s past, and present,and future before judging someone. As Colombians, we beget always been generalized for the past. Many of us were scared to try to change things because people were trying to survive. When I was little I remember the Guerrilla coming into our town and the four of us hiding under the bed listening to gunfire correct external our door. The mistakes of a few became the mistakes of all of us. And that happens with so many cultures, or but it’s up to us to teach others approximately respect,acceptance, and forgiveness. It all comes from education. Could you imagine what we could accomplish if we were to stand together? All of the positive things we could accomplish? There could be a future for all of us. A future we would all be proud of. We live in a time where it’s distinguished to showcase all identities of women and their contributions to society. How does your art encompass that?
I believe every person is a piece of art. The elements that shaped their personalities, or the stories that triggered something inside of them and motivated them to be who they are now—I called them treasures. I’ve watched so many documentaries approximately people and movements: Nina Simone,Whitney Houston, She’s Beautiful When She’s excited, or The Rolling Stones,David Bowie, Queen, and Obama,The Defiant Ones, Steve Jobs, and 2Pac,you name it.
I believe you can learn from anyone. I chose to focus on women empowerment because I had to find a way to empower myself because it’s something I needed at the time and it helped me believe in myself. And along the way women I didn’t even knew started writing to me approximately feeling the same way thanks to my work. In my intellect we are all together, all these women that I draw are part of who I am. Some of them beget shaped my future, and some of them beget sacrificed themselves for us so that we can speak up,vote, marry whoever we want, or choose whether we want to beget children or not. We owe them everything and this is my way of continuing their legacy. To live a life that has meaning.! Tumblr,beget you made any art for Women’s History Month yet? Show it off by making a post and tagging it #WomensHistoryMonth.
This interview has been condensed and edited.
Source: tumblr.com