Murmurs: an Installation by Selva Aparicio is on display January 10 until February 21 on the 8th floor of the Harold Washington Library Center.
Q: How did you become an artist?
A: Ever since I can remember art has been a part of my life. When I was very young, a group of musicians from Easter Island lived with my family. Tito, an older gentleman, taught me how to carve stone. In my house I was allowed to do anything that my imagination desired. At 13, I replicated "Guernica," a painting by Picasso in full scale.
Q: What made you want to exhibit at the library?
A: I spend a lot of time in the library, studying and playing the piano on the 8th floor. When I found the chance to apply for exhibiting my work, I seized the moment. I would love the opportunity to interact with people as they look through my art.
Q: What are some challenges with creating installation art?
A: My friend always laughs, saying, “How lucky I am to be a painter.” Certainly, there are many challenges with making installations. When designing pieces, thinking about the idea is usually the easiest part. My art deals with the theme of fragility, so engineering the setup is usually half the battle.
Q: What are your plans for your art career?
A: Art is not only a career. It's my life. I recently visited Joshua Tree National Park to discover and find new concepts for my next exhibition; experiences like this have made my life very fulfilling. Having a reason to travel enables me to learn and to understand new places, materials and concepts. My plan is to keep going and make sure I can share all of these experiences with people through my art.
