Artist Feature: Alejandra Glez
The work of Alejandra Glez (Havana, 1996) addresses specific personal and social issues. She peruses her own experience with traumas such as panic attacks and sexual assault to build unique and stirring visual artwork. Moreover, she aims at exploring the feminine identity while delving into some of the most actual approaches to the feminist theory. Media such as photography, collage, installation, performance and video are implemented to defy the patriarchal codes that stigmatize femininity. This, in order to question the macho-imposed models that she grew up with and to achieve a deeper self-knowledge.
Photography by Alejandra Glez
Q: Can you share something you've learned from creating this body of work that would resonate with our community?
AG: The lesson and the greatest learning that my work has given me is that we women still have a lot to fight for, that there is still a lot to talk about and reflect on, but above all that social awaress of gender inequality is still very high.
Q: Tell us about your work process! Do you plan your images ahead or are you more improvisational?
AG: My work process starts from an idea, a feeling or an experience, from there I start to investigate more on the subject in the case of working with a woman. The first thing I do is to meet her and spend time with her trying to get the deepest part of her. With myself I start a kind of trance trying to heal and give all of me and finally after studying and looking for all the necessary information, I create sketches and plan the scene and the final result.
Photography by Alejandra Glez
Q: What types of expectations for artists are most challenging to you today?
AG: Being a woman in a patriarchal society is already challenging, we are constantly struggling to educate society, to give us a voice and above all to create awareness of gender equality.
Q: What is your advice to young and aspiring photographers?
AG: My advice to young artists is to never give up, do not believe that being a woman or being young is a problem because it is not, always fight for your ideals and that will take you to the achievement because the only and true achievement is to be faithful to one and then to humanity. There is a lot to fight for, we still need more voices so I encourage all of you.
Q: Do you have any upcoming events, exhibitions, or news you'd like to share?
AG: Next I will be exhibiting in Barcelona in the art center Utopia from 23 to 26 September in a collective exhibition with good cuban artists where I will present my second performance in front of the public. I will also be exhibiting in October in Venice as a finalist of the last Art Laguna Prize.
Photography by Alejandra Glez
Q: What is your advice to young and aspiring photographers?
AG: My advice to young artists is to never give up, do not believe that being a woman or being young is a problem because it is not, always fight for your ideals and that will take you to the achievement because the only and true achievement is to be faithful to one and then to humanity. There is a lot to fight for, we still need more voices so I encourage all of you.
Q: What does being a feminist mean to you?
AG: For me, to be a feminist is to be a woman. I believe in feminist that unites, not separates, I believe in feminist that speaks of gender equality, that says: not because I am a woman I am not less that you, but I am equal and we have the same rights. I am against all sexist acts.
Photography by Alejandra Glez
Follow @alejandraglezvisual_artist and view more at alejandraglez.com
