We recently connected with Magda Love and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Magda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I believe one of the most exciting things of being an artist is experimenting with different technics and allow yourself time for play. Discovering new technics and mediums can open doors to develop your artist vision further. I have become known for large murals and I love painting them, but I have spent the past year in my studio experimenting with sculpture, textiles and mix media. That has given me the opportunity to become proficient with new materials and create a 3 dimensional experience through my art. I am currently developing new works, embroidering my paintings, recycling junk mail into paper cache sculptures, creating plants and flowers out or wires and textiles. I am very excited to have applied new technics in developing new artwork for my upcoming solo shows in 2024. Personally, learning the craft is a endless and ongoing journey.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Magda Love, a visual artist and muralist. I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and immigrated to the US over two decades ago. I grew up in a very creative environment. My mother is a teacher who always stimulate us to learn, find joy in education and community. My father was a visual artist primary focused sculpture, he sparkled curiosity, experimenting and encourage us to be unapologetically be ourselves. Since a young age, I painted, designed clothes, took photos, created collages and experimented with lots of different mediums. Creating was a part of my DNA, it wasn’t for a purpose or end it was just natural part of my daily life. After having my first solo show in NYC, all organically landed if painting my first mural. I remember painting my first mural In Brooklyn, the bells rang and felt this is it. I received overwhelming positive response and encouragement from the beginning. It has been key for developing my practice to create bonds with all these wonderful people who supported my art from the beginning.
I have always been passionate creating pieces that reflected my Latin American roots, while initiating dialogues about community, spirituality, the natural world and humanity.
I remember painting one of the largest murals in NYC, in City as School and having so many people contacting me, and praising how seeing the mural was a sign, or how happy or understood they felt when they saw it. I believe as an artist moving people emotionally is the biggest compliment we can receive. That what I want to remind us of our humanity, our bonds to each other. I hope my art unites and celebrates how imperfect the human condition can be.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

The process of painting the largest mural in NYC was insanely time consuming from when the idea was born to finalizing took about 5 years. We had so many challenges getting approvals from DOE, the city, FDOT, the mayors office. Finding the funds. Just a crazy journey. I was fortunate to have Maria and Alex from City as School on my side, the push and persevere through all the process and we got it done. There is a great short documentary of Red Bull that documents part of this journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzNmaloCkck

The message is if you know you are meant to do something persevere regardless the circumstances. It will be hard sometimes but that mural is my pride and joy. The bonds I created with the students, the school, the community are forever with me and have been a sort of strength to carry still in my artistic process.

Another huge lesson of this process was learning to ask for help, create a team, a community of people who believe in your mission. From all the school staff, my former manager Mary Becker, to all the student, Lisi from Christies who help with the funding, Matt Daniela at Red Bull, my assistants and probably many more . It took a group of people to help make that magical mural possible.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being and artist is creating connections with people through my art, discovering and executing new ideas. Creating art is a gateway to endless possibilities, it is exciting to make new work, travel widely, meeting new people, learning about other cultures. Mural painting have given me the possibility to travel to different continents, stay and share meals with all kinds of people. I believe that has given me perspective and inspiration that I take back to my studio and make art with a wider point of view. It is magical to feel that art can connect us all regarding our backgrounds or geographical spaces. Art can inspire, represent and unify people emotionally in ways we don’t fully comprehend.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.magdaloveart.com
• Instagram: @magdaloveart
• Facebook: This is Magda Love
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magda-love-74329386/

Image Credits
Headshot : Oriol Tarridas Soul Ancestors: @just_a_spectator