Mary Obando | Women’s Geometry
Capturing the enigmatic and mysterious, Colombian photographer Mary Obando’s visual exploits invite us into her fantasy world of realism and Dali-esque metaphors.
Stemming from a world of quirky visions, Obando aims to seduce, amuse and entertain audiences with her surreal images as previously executed in photographic projects such as Rituals of the Organic, 2011 and Pandoras, 2015.
Receiving favourable responses at the 2015 X Bienal de Florencia, Florencia Italia, the Colombian photographer went on to complete her latest project. We spoke to the Bogota based artist at Melia White House in Marylebone, London to talk about her latest series Women’s Geometry.
THE OCEAN AFRICAN: What inspired the series?
MARY OBANDO: Women’s Geometry is inspired by Colombian indigenous face paintings, symbolism and the mystical geometry that surrounds their drawings. Each pictogram represents different connections from ancestors to nature and through festivities. The facial paint became the expression of cultural identity and cosmic connections. Moreover this work is based on 10 portraits, which have been recreated across different scales of greens, working with light and shadows; bringing out their hidden faces, enhancing their face paint. It symbolises the sacred warrior and natural woman that coexists in us.
OA: Where do you derive inspiration for your works?
MO: Claude Monet once said, “It’s on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly.” My work relies on art history. I try to absorb different styles and periods; each epoch is remarkable, you can engage with countless artistic visions and work. My early stages of photography are based on Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings. I found myself fascinated with shadow and light, my work Ruptures, 2012 evokes that period of time. I also found in modern art a special way to express lines, colour, texture and shape, inherit in my previous works like Pandoras and of course, Women’s Geometry.
OA: Who inspires you artistically?
MO: Gaudi is one of my biggest inspirations. His work and conception on geometry, likening it with nature, creating universes of abstract and vivid colour - architecture, have impacted my work; to be surreal, creating abstract characters. Van Gogh, with his pure expression of colour conceiving those surreal still life, portraits and landscapes, gave me the influence to create vivid and enigmatic images. And finally Annie Leibovitz, her effort in understating light, incorporated in her quirky portraits, that had a huge influence on my portraits.
OA: Women play a pivotal role in each of our lives, who most inspires you to continue your passion?
MO: It is difficult to choose one. Through my life, I have encountered so many encouraging women, who have fought different conflicts, from single mothers, maids, painters and teachers, each have struggled their own conflicts. I truly believe these women have been my mentors, each one has taught me in a meaningful way, to fight for my personal reveries, to never give up, no matter how hard the outside can be. Engage in what you truly believe and put it out there!
OA: Are female artists under-represented in Colombia?
MO: Unfortunately, yes. Colombia is a male dominated country. You have to struggle to put you work out there and be likeable. Sadly there are not enough spots for female exhibitors, without engaging a gallery.
OA: What steps do you think should be taken to improve the situation?
MO: We need to unite as female artists, help each other to expose our works in different venues in Colombia or create them. We need to gather people, make the effort to approach art institutes. Galleries should give more chances to under-represented artists. Ultimately, the government should do more to support emerging artists.
OA: What’s your scariest experience?
MO: Six years ago I was robbed in my own house! They stole my computer, my hard disk, my camera - they took everything that I had worked on for over a year. I had huge depressive thoughts. ‘How can I recover my photos?’, ‘I don’t have backup!’. I ran into an old friend, and he gave me the best advice; until today, “Mary, yes - they took everything, but the didn’t take the most valuable thing you have, and that is you knowledge, your creativity, your passion, your eyes…” Since then, every photo I take, I make it with passion; surreal, provocative, but more importantly, I try to make it unique.
Mary Obando currently resides in Bogota, Colombia. She is currently working on a new project focusing on ‘unseen storytelling myths of Colombia involving mystical ghosts of different towns in Colombia’. Follow her on Instagram or visit her website.