SVA Continuing Education is a proud exhibitor at the Affordable Art Fair, presenting art from its community of students and emerging professional artists. This special exhibition, MATERIAL INDEX, is curated by Keren Moscovitch and features artists Lisa Di Donato, Yam Chew Oh, and Arantxa Ximena Rodriguez. Read on to learn how Ms. Rodriguez has overcome obstacles, built friendships, and become a professional.

SVACE: Could you tell us about the art you’re exhibiting at AAF? 

AXR: I am exhibiting three string installations and four drawings. They were all made in the span of 2019-2021. The big string installation has been exhibited, but the others, due to the pandemic, will be exhibited for the first time. 

My big string installation was born out of the thesis project I made while studying for my masters degree at SVA. The two small ones I made during my OPT visa and the drawings were made in the middle of the pandemic not knowing what was going to happen with my migration status. Now I feel fortunate to be eligible for the Artist visa, which permitted me to stay longer in the USA and participate in the Affordable Art Fair. I feel very fortunate to represent my country Mexico through my art. 

SVACE: Does this work represent your art practice? That is, how does it fit into the big picture of your work? 

AXR: All my work is somewhat geometric – my installations and my drawings. I really cannot explain why but they do have a sort of Latin connotation. The colors and materials I use in my work could represent my roots, but I don’t do this on purpose. 

SVACE: Participating in an art fair requires some professional preparation, including presentation, inventory lists, meeting with collectors, and more. What does that preparation entail for you, in this case? 

AXR: Every big thing in my art career helps me be more professional and prepares me for the next big step. As an artist, I must accept I have learned in the “doing.” My biggest organization skills have come from experience, and my network tactics have just built up naturally. Actually, I don’t network, I connect! I love building lasting relationships, not only looking for what could benefit my career, but looking where I can build a two-way channel for a win-win growth. I have been social all my life so talking to people has never been an issue, but what I have learned is how to really be honest and authentic. Nowadays, it’s so easy to tell when someone is talking to you only to get something out of you, or for pure interest. I think honesty and authenticity are big values worth taking care of. It is always better to have values more than interests. Opportunities are always going to be out there and being honest and authentic will always get you further along the way.

SVACE: Could you describe your experience with SVA? What did you gain from your time with SVA?

AXR: I adore my school. I was happy while I was studying there and the support I have gotten from SVA two years already after graduating has been exceptional. Doing my masters was not easy at all. I had to go through a lot of obstacles, but all that brought me incredibly valuable lessons for not only my career and work, but life in general. But like everything in life, you will get out of the program as much as you put into it. People think that because you pay tuition, you are entitled to all kinds of benefits, but the truth is that great benefits come when you also give your 100%. I feel I gave my life to SVA and up until now the opportunities it has given me and the doors that have opened are above and beyond. SVA took my work to Untitled Art Fair in Miami, has published my work on constant occasions, and now it has given me the opportunity to show at Affordable Art Fair. 

I am extremely grateful with SVA. I know I have gotten these benefits for my hard work, but I must also accept I have kept a strong connection with my former school. I visit my former teachers, I nourish the friendships I have made, I honor the people who have helped me, and I hope the connection keeps growing. I would love to be part of the faculty there one day and give back what I have gotten from SVA.  

SVACE: At SVA, who were some influential peers and faculty members? 

AXR: The list is long! First, I have to say I feel honored to be showing next to Yam Chew Oh. He is not only a real artist (his sensitivity and sensibility are above and beyond), but he is also one of my best friends; we were studio neighbors the last year of grad school and we really developed a deep and long lasting friendship. 

Sheila Pepe was my mentor the first year, and as much as I cried after her studio visits, I learned a ton from her, not only how to grow out of old work but big lessons in humility. I admire how Mike Tribe always maintains the program fresh, with incredible faculty doing real things in real time out there, and as challenging as he could be sometimes, he always makes me think things deeper and question other perspectives. Sharon Louden and Mathew Deleget gave me the best advice in their classes in how to build community and approach the art world. Jasmin Wahi and Miguel Luciano have taught me how to be a peaceful warrior as artists and that is powerful: how we as artists can truly have an impact in the world. Omar Lopez-Chahoud’s studio visits in Spanish were so enjoyable and he always signs recommendation letters for me that have opened a lot of doors. 

Friends like Dulce Lamarca have literally saved my life in multiple occasions; when I lost everything due to the pandemic, she helped me put my CV up to speed and even helped me find a new home. Tony Reamer has also been an incredible and helpful friend, always to the rescue and full of wisdom. Dan Halm took me to Miami; Keren Moscovitch gave me this opportunity. Harry the doorman who always greeted me with a smile and who I still pass by to say hello when I am close by. Mark Ramos who always helped me registering my classes because I sucked with the SVA portal, etc. I don´t take one moment in SVA for granted. The list is extremely long really. I am missing many teachers and friends I could write in this list. The gratitude is unmeasurable. 

SVACE: Most artists exhibiting at art fairs have transitioned through a variety of bodies of work. Is this true for you? If so, how would you characterize your transition? 

AXR: I can say my work has experienced five strong transitions so far. People who know my work say that one transition is the evolution of the former one, but I don’t see it that way, or at least it’s not on purpose. First, I started creating work inspired in fractals and sacred geometry. When I arrived at SVA, I stopped that completely and immersed myself in performance art. After, I discovered strings and started creating installations. Then I dove deep into drawing. Now I am experimenting with textures. All this work (except my performance maybe) are permeated by geometry. One piece takes me to the next one. For me, it is inevitable, experimenting with different paths, and as much as I don’t do it on purpose, when people see the “AXR thread” in everything, I guess that is a good thing. 

SVACE: For artists and creatives visiting the fair and wondering how to jump into that world, what do you advise? 

AXR: First thing I could say is: apply to all the open calls you can in order to start exhibiting your work! Show your work! Not only to start building a CV for yourself and for your pieces, but to start grabbing experience in how to do this, how to plan, how to talk about your work, to listen to people talk about your work, to understand how people are taking in your work, etc. 

Also, go to shows and fairs and talk to people! Exchange cards and start building a newsletter, even if you send one a few times a year, not even monthly. Slowly start building your audience and network. One day you won’t have to worry about that because it will happen by itself, and someone is going to move your work for you maybe, but to get there you have to do the work yourself first! But most importantly, more than anything, work a lot! Always keep creating and show your work! Being an artist requires extremely hard work, tons of patience, dedication, emails and connections! You got to do everything at the beginning, its exhausting but I believe one day it will be all worth it. 

Learn more about the artist in this recent blog post. Follow our updates and stories on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. And meet the SVACE community by reading our new issue of SVA ContinuEd in print or digital versions!