“restless curiosity”

Portraits, embroidery, and street art… well that’s one of the best combinations I’ve ever seen! I am thrilled that I got to talk to Mexican artist Victoria Villasana. She truly is full of restless curiosity – a creative person her entire life, searching for the work that felt right to her. Yep, she found it! We’re talking about design, fashion, motherhood, perseverance and whether or not we care about Prince Harry getting engaged. You can listen right up there under those colorful yarn tears, or you can subscribe on iTunes.

First up, some of her street art pieces in and around London, including odes to Mohammad Ali and David Bowie:

YES! Yarn… on the street. How would these beauties not catch your eye?!

Next, this is the collaboration she did with fashion photographer Dario Vazquez and Spanish street artist Misterpiro, London 2015:

Seriously. So, so good.

Ok, here’s what she’s been putting up in Mexico since she returned home over a year ago:

Oooh, I love the tiny ones. That said, she also does some very big work. Here are a few examples of her pieces that hang on walls inside, and note the scale of some of them:

Um, yeah, I had to include that last amazing piece… those orange glasses? The scale? LOVE. That is actor Luis Gerardo Méndez standing literally in the middle of Victoria’s installation of Mexican movie director Guillermo del Toro at WeWork in Mexico City. Unbelievably cool… as is Victoria:

One more thing I had to do… finish things off with this Shakespearean luchador. I just found it on her Instagram feed and thought it was a perfect combo of the places she’s called home … to date. She may have to add Japan to that list one day! Thank you so much to Victoria for talking to me (and agreeing to be in my new book!); thanks to Saatchi Art and Thrive for supporting the episode, and thanks to you for listening! There will be more art for your ear next weekend.

Other links:

  1. Pablo Delgado, Mexican street artist
  2. TED Talks
  3. Victoria’s Instagram feed

 






comments (11)

  1. Sue McArthur /// 12.02.2017 /// 7:31pm

    that was wonderful, thanks so much..

  2. Julie /// 12.03.2017 /// 4:17am

    Brilliant!! Loved it!!

  3. Michelle Heslop /// 12.03.2017 /// 5:24pm

    Great interview Danielle! Love Victoria’s ART!!!, her giggle, her rasp, accent, advice on motherhood, AND her refusal to be put in a box and instead, embrace her jill of all trades curiosity. Thoroughly inspired and adding something from her site to my Santa list. Haven’t been this inspired in a long time. Thank you for shining the light on these ah-mazing artists! Excited to see Victoria in your book!

  4. the jealous curator /// 12.03.2017 /// 7:12pm

    me too, me too, me too!

  5. Eliana Marinari /// 12.06.2017 /// 1:04am

    I feel so touched by this interview! I see myself in what you have said, motherhood, creativity and frustration. I loved it! And obviously I am really really fascinated by her art. Thank you Danielle!!

  6. the jealous curator /// 12.06.2017 /// 6:42am

    thank YOU eliana xo

  7. Axl /// 12.08.2017 /// 3:38pm

    Favorite 🙂

  8. Jess Witte /// 12.19.2017 /// 10:04am

    Hi Danielle,
    First time listener and I am hooked. Great artist and great interview. Continue what you are doing- I have a trove of interviews to listen to while working in my home studio. I love the conversation around family, process, and the call outs to moms. Great to hear how others have made creative work and a life as an artist alongside their families. Keep going- looking forward to the book. Thank you.

  9. the jealous curator /// 12.21.2017 /// 7:29am

    oh thanks jess! enjoy the rest of them… so many amazing artists with fantastic stories! : )

  10. Tina Wagner /// 01.01.2018 /// 11:54pm

    i was searching article related to embroidery Machines but i found this unique art about embroidery i just love it

  11. Katy Gilmore /// 07.05.2018 /// 12:57pm

    Thanks so much Danielle – so good as always!