Everyday Mythologies: Multidisciplinary artist Amadeo Morelos Favela
Interview by | 謝蕎安 Joanne Hsieh
圖 Image courtesy｜Amadeo Morelos Favela
翻譯 Translated by Joanne Hsieh
洛杉磯 LA\墨西哥 Mexico City
Special Thanks to Amdadeo Morelos Favela
墨西哥藝術家 Amadeo Morelos Favela 的創作遊走在古典與當代繪畫之間，用色富有中美洲的熱力及藝術家本身的豐沛情感，風格既奔放又細膩。完美結合了平面與立體空間，滿足視覺的色彩飽和度、手繪線條與油彩的結合，使傳統繪畫充滿趣味性。
Amadeo 的創作靈感大多來自神話故事、個人生活和當代文化。有時只是想捕捉一種心情或感覺。用色主觀強烈，色彩有時反應了藝術家所在的地方、或是心理狀態，有時是創作媒材適合什麼顏色就用什麼顏色。
Currently based in Mexico City, artist Amadeo Morelos Favela's work is somewhere between classical and cartoony. His work is painterly but highly stylized, life is abundant in his imagery and light shines through the often bright and saturated colors. Favela's inspirations come from mythologies, personal life and contemporary culture. Sometimes creating art simply functions as journaling, where he tries to capture a mood or a moment in life. Favela processes his emotions through colors and lines, come Ines with a unique sense of humor and perception of modern life.
Hi Amadeo！謝謝你接受訪問，請問你來自哪裡？最喜歡的當地活動是什麼？可以推薦我們當地的美術館或畫廊嗎？
Hi Amadeo, thank you for doing this interview with me! Can you tell us about where you’re from and what it’s like?
Amadeo：「我來自 Morelia , 是墨西哥 Michoacan 的首都。殖民時期的歷史城區市中心非常漂亮。Museum Palacio Clavijero 有很好的展覽，在市中心散步可以看到很美的景色，當然也有很多美食。」
I’m from Morelia, a small city, capital of Michoacán, Mexico. It has a beautiful colonial historical Downtown. Museum Palacio Clavijero has been showing some really good stuff, but mostly just wondering around Downtown, is beautiful and of course the food.
Ｑ：你目前在哪裡工作？
Where are you currently based at and what is it like for a working artist?
Amadeo：「我現在在墨西哥市，這裡的藝術圈非常活躍，對藝術家來說是個很有意思的城市，有各式各樣的創作風格。但我通常活在自己的世界，專注自己的創作，我正試著改變這樣的作風。」
I'm currently in Mexico City, there’s a lot going on here, so I would say is a really interesting place for an artist. A lot of different communities, and a really abundant subject matter. But honestly I’ve been mostly isolated in my own work, which is something I am trying to change.
Ｑ：孩提時代的你最喜歡做什麼？對你的藝術有什麼影響？
What were your favorite activities as a child?
Amadeo：「我從小時候就非常愛畫畫，在學校我曾因此被處罰。我喜歡去我阿姨的畫室玩，喜歡去美術館，我無論到哪都帶著素描簿跟一本莫內（Monet）的兒童畫冊。」
I loved to draw when I was a little kid, I would often get in trouble in school because of it. I would visit my aunt painting studio, I loved museums, and I would always carry a sketchbook and a Monet children book wherever I went to.
Ｑ：你的創作主題是什麼？
What is the theme of your work? Why are you interested in it?
Amadeo：「我的創作融合哲學、神話、當代文化和我個人的心理狀態。」
(My work) Is a mix of philosophy, mythology, contemporary culture and my own psychological state.
Ｑ：會怎麼向陌生人形容你的作品？
How would you describe your art to someone who’s never seen your work before?
Amadeo：「我不是很擅長文字表達，所以我通常會直接把手機照片拿出來給對方看。」
I am not very good with words, so I usually show people my work on my phone.
我的創作靈感大多來自神話故事、個人生活和當代文化
Ｑ：你有固定的創作方式嗎？
Do you have a specific way of working?
Amadeo：「沒有很固定的方式，有時候我會做一些research，藉此找到一些圖像跟構圖；有時候作品直接在畫布上、紙上或者陶土，或是任何我手邊的東西直接開始創作。」
Not really, sometimes I start with some research that leads to the images and compositions, other times the work comes in a really intuitive straight from the canvas, paper, clay or whatever medium I found myself working on.
Ｑ：最喜歡的媒材是什麼？
What’s your favorite medium and why?
Amadeo：「我沒有特別最愛的媒材，我享受嘗試新媒材的樂趣，應該說，最能表達我想創作的主題的媒材，就會是我當下最喜歡的。」
I don’t really have one. The thing I enjoy the most is learning new things, so I guess whatever medium becomes the vehicle for that becomes my favorite for a specific moment in time.
Ｑ：最近在創作的系列和什麼有關？
What are you currently working on? Any specific topics/research in your most recent series?
Amadeo：「我一直想要做雕像，希望今年可以開始。」
I’ve been really hoping to dive a little more into sculpture for a long time, so hopefully I can finally do it this year.
Ｑ：可以聊聊你藝術相關的學經歷嗎？
Can you tell us a bit about your educational background and art-related experiences?
Amadeo：「我從小就很愛畫畫，高中的時候開始在閒暇時間作陶藝和銅雕，但是直到我去芝加哥藝術學院（SAIC）上大學之後才受到正式的藝術訓練。」 I’ve loved drawing my entire life, then in Highschool I started working with clay and bronze on my free time. But it was not until I went to college at SAIC that I had any real formal training.
Ｑ：在芝加哥生活和學習對你的創作有什麼影響？
Did living in Chicago have any influence on your art or in general?
Amadeo：「完全性的，可以隨時到芝加哥藝術學院的美術館參觀，一流的藝術教授，還有第一次接觸到許多和我的理念相近的人，這個經驗豐富了我的人生。」 Entirely, having access all the time to an amazing art collection at the AIC, great professors, and being around a bunch of people with similar perspectives like mine for the first time in my life. It completely changed my life.
Ｑ：你欣賞哪些藝術家？以及哪些人物？
Who are your favorite artists and who inspire you?
Amadeo：「莫內、特瑞爾 (James Turrell，美國燈光藝術家）、杜象，但最主要是我的朋友還有教授們影響我最大。」
Monet, Turrell, Duchamp, but mostly some of my friends and professors that I’ve been so lucky to have.
Ｑ：工作及創作之外的興趣有哪些？
What do you do outside of studio practice?
Amadeo：「我喜歡聽有聲書、看紀錄片，下廚和美食。」
I like to listen to podcasts, watch documentaries and cooking and eating.
Ｑ：今年有哪些目標？
What are some goals for the year?
Amadeo：「想要更專注、健康，不要被超出我所能控制的事情影響太大。」 Being more focus, healthier and less affected by things out of my control.
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