Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariana Gómez.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

Before graduating from university, while presenting my thesis project, one of Colombia’s most prominent art collectors contacted me wanting to purchase my entire art project. Being so young and achieving such a significant sale without an established career as an artist was a tremendous accomplishment. This experience showed me that making a living from art was possible – I just had to try.

I completed my undergraduate degree in painting at Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and earned my Master’s degree in sculpture from Pratt Institute in New York. Throughout my artistic career, I’ve had the privilege of exhibiting my work internationally in solo and group shows across New York, Bogotá, Tokyo, and London, in prestigious galleries such as El Museo, CASA CANO, Otros 360 grados, SeeMe, and AWS.

I’ve also participated in major international art fairs including Zona MACO in Mexico City, Drawing Room in Lisbon, Start.Art in London, and BARCÚ in Bogotá, where I received an honorable mention from curator Phillipa Adams in 2017. While developing my artistic practice, I also gained valuable experience in cultural management, including organizing the ARTBO fair and serving as art director at Fundación Corazón Verde, where I curated more than 12 exhibitions and auctions.

In 2018, I made the bold decision to focus solely on my artistic career. I resigned from all my other positions, rented a studio space, and despite my fears, took the leap. During the pandemic, many of my previous clients and contacts began approaching me not only to purchase my paintings but also works from fellow artists, which led me to become an art dealer.

In 2022, I opened my own gallery, DAMA, in Bogotá. While I love creating my own work, I couldn’t deny my passion for exhibiting other artists’ work – showing people what’s being created, what other artists want to express, and sharing their voices.

Last year, I had the honor of presenting “Female Resonances,” my first solo exhibition in New York at the Colombian Consulate. The exhibition was a transformative journey that invited viewers to explore the interconnection of our souls and bodies, creating a sacred space where the spiritual symbolism of femininity acted as a catalyst for collective healing.

Currently, I am excited to announce that I will be showcasing my work at the Affordable Art Fair UK this May with Patricia Christie Gallery. As always, I remain deeply committed to my artistic exploration of feminine themes and their societal implications, continuing my mission to celebrate the divine feminine and challenge patriarchal conventions through my work.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

I believe that throughout the years, I’ve carried a limiting belief that making a living solely from art and my creations is extremely difficult, and this mindset has made the journey feel more challenging than it needed to be. I’ve held many parallel jobs alongside my artistic career that have been demanding and disconnected me from my creativity and artistic production, all stemming from a recurring fear of not having enough money to sustain myself. These circumstances have created numerous obstacles, leaving me with insufficient time to pursue my dreams and often feeling creatively and professionally paralyzed.

However, looking back, I realize that these challenges have shaped me into the resilient artist I am today. Each obstacle has taught me valuable lessons about perseverance, self-belief, and the importance of staying true to one’s artistic vision. Today, I understand that success in the art world isn’t just about talent – it’s about courage, determination, and the willingness to take risks. My journey has shown me that when we fully commit to our passion and trust in our abilities, remarkable things can happen.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

As a multidisciplinary artist, my work sits at the intersection of contemporary art, feminism, and spirituality. Through various mediums including painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, and embroidery, I explore the diversity of the feminine universe in the 21st century.

Each creation is an expedition into the heart of the feminine, addressing topics that society tends to avoid and challenging taboos. My intention is to dismantle these restrictions, providing a space for authentic and inclusive conversations.

My art is fundamentally a tribute to feminine spirituality. I recognize the inner divinity that resides in all women, and through each work, this divinity is reaffirmed and repositioned in its legitimate place in the world. In this way, my work becomes an act of resistance against patriarchy, giving voice to the feminine gender and reclaiming its place in cultural narrative.

Each medium I work with carries its own significance:

– In my paintings, I establish a deep connection between spirituality and femininity, where each brushstroke acknowledges the inner divinity residing in all women.
– My sculptures are tactile explorations of femininity, revealing aspects of women’s experience that are often hidden or overlooked.
– Through my drawings, I explore the delicate balance between fragility and inherent strength in the feminine.
– My embroidery work pays homage to the ancestral connection of women with the act of creation, each stitch a reminder of the generations of women who preceded us.
– My installations represent a break from traditional formats, creating immersive spaces that challenge conventions and invite viewers to fully engage with the feminine experience.

I am known for addressing themes of womanhood, the female body, and its mysteries. Through my work, I aim to “reveal the secrets of being a woman,” breaking down taboos and fostering meaningful conversations about what it truly means to be a woman in today’s world.

I take great pride in being a vessel for diverse feminine voices, creating works that allow women to feel seen, understood, and deeply connected to their experiences. My art serves as a portal to our inner divinity and provides a safe space where we can authentically express ourselves without shame or fear.

What sets my work apart is this unique combination of artistic expression and spiritual connection, creating not just visual experiences but transformative spaces for dialogue and healing. Through my various mediums and approaches, I continue to challenge conventional narratives while celebrating the profound beauty and complexity of feminine existence.

Who else deserves credit in your story?

Throughout my career, I’ve often felt quite solitary, finding myself more in the role of supporting others than receiving support. This question stirs deep emotions within me, as I find it challenging to acknowledge the help I’ve received, feeling that the struggles have outweighed the support. However, I’ve been fortunate to have incredible female artist friends who have been instrumental in my journey. We share experiences, help each other develop concepts, and constantly question the deeper meaning behind our work. Having artist friends is invaluable – we support each other, create opportunities together, and lift each other up.

I must also acknowledge the women in my family who have been my greatest muses. When I portray women in my work, I always return to them for inspiration. Their stories, their real struggles, and their lives are not only part of my artistic narrative but also part of my own history. These strong women have shaped my understanding of femininity and continue to influence my artistic expression.

Additionally, I’m grateful for the art collectors, gallery owners, and curators who have believed in my work from the beginning. Their support has been instrumental in establishing my career, particularly the first collector who purchased my entire thesis project while I was still a student, and the gallerists at Otros 360, who have witnessed my artistic evolution and have consistently supported me not only as an artist but as a dedicated professional. These encounters and relationships have opened doors and provided opportunities that have been instrumental in my artistic journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marianagomezart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marianagomezart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marianagomezart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@marianagomezart2724
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariana.gomez.art