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.

The artist brings values and new art to AAF 2021