Maija: Could you tell us a little about the source of your materials and the philosophy behind your sculptures?

Li: One of my favourite things to do is to take long hikes around the island of Ibiza to collect old pieces of Sabina wood for my sculptures. I'm drawn to how the elements of wind, water, and sun shape and lighten the Sabina, how nature herself creates these raw organic sculptures. Once the woods collected, I rarely alter it—occasionally I'll sand a piece down or drill holes depending on the project, but I prefer to keep in it’s natural form and find beauty in it’s irregularities. The way I conceive the sculptures is more of an assembly of elements and materials rather than sculpting. I also have a beautiful collection of wood I found whilst living in Patagonia, Argentina and adore using them in my work! My sister Sofia and I began incorporating resin and crystals into our sculptures, inspired by the resin jewellery she hand- makes on the island. Resin is mesmerising - it captures a moment in time and space as it transforms from a translucent liquid to a solid through an alchemical process. It’s beauty is both metaphorical and physical, and captures the ephemeral. We wanted to unite the organic, asymmetric shapes of wood with resin's natural flowing forms, and I think their allure lies in the unpredictability of how the resin will settle and take shape when in tandem with the wood. The colours of Japanese ink we choose for dyeing the resin echo the luminous, dreamlike elements in my paintings - I’ve always wanted to keep those free flowing, abstract shapes as a signature motif in my art. The forms are feminine yet ambiguous—they might evoke a spaceship, a vagina or a shell, and that’s where the true beauty of these sculptures lie. Their meaning stays open to the interpretation of the viewer; I love the mystery behind them.

Maija: When I look at the resin, the translucent yet fluid quality of the material almost makes me feel like I’m looking up at the surface of the sea whilst swimming underwater, when the sun glistens down and I’m surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colours, sun light and bubbles. I love the way they reflect and radiate light in the gallery, they’re like little universes or planets in motion, simultaneously stuck in time. Does the notion of freezing time influence your work in any way?

Li: I love the idea of not being able to measure time. It’s man-made, intangible, transient yet eternal and can only be experienced in the present. When I create art, I capture a particular dimension in space and time - each piece represents a meaningful period in my life that I can always look back on.

Maija: Over the years your work has embodied a multifaceted range of mediums: drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, embroidery, tapestry, performance, photography - what unifies all these practices together for you?

Li: The journey that I take in the creative process unifies all of these diverse practices. I move fluidly between mediums as they all have a unique vibration to me — sometimes I’ll start with collaging from my vintage magazines when I’m working with my sister, then I’ll walk over to my studio and feel drawn to paint a large piece of linen splayed across the floor. Sometimes the addition of music will invite me to dance when I’m outside in nature, and I’ll flow with whatever comes out in that moment. Though it may seem a little unstructured and I sometimes question my approach to creating work, this organic connection between pieces is essential to my process. I see it as different aspects of my personality coming through in different ways, and the dialogue between different creative disciplines in Ibiza reflects my way of working. My work responds to emotional waves that demand expression through either movement or painting, depending on how I’m feeling – a balance between the conscious and unconscious. A strong feminine essence also weaves through everything I create and the visibility and invisibility of women throughout history is central to my work. The feminine figures in my paintings reflect this; they emerge to the forefront in some but then withdraw back into themselves. Women create life and bring the unseen into the seen. Like the universe itself, we are highly complex and multidimensional, and I strive to capture both light and dark aspects in my art. I love to paint figures inspired by Ancient Greek mythology that appear to float and dance in the foreground, balanced by the gravitational pull of darkness in the background. Both dimensions are always present. Tracey Emin captures this theme beautifully.

Maija: Similar to Emin’s work, is producing art a form of catharsis for you, an emotional release? How does your background in art therapy influence your art?

Li: I believe it’s a channeling of energy through self awareness where I’m able to learn and release certain emotions with clarity after the work is made. My last exhibition "Fragile Yearning" was more cathartic; it focused on expressing my relationships, emotions, and feelings directly on the canvas. It was an exploration of my inner and outer landscape. When I felt a little lost with my work in 2011, I studied art therapy in Mexico, thinking it could serve as a tool both for myself and to help others. Sometimes I facilitate in-person art sessions and assist at retreats, though I don't label them as "art therapy"— the therapeutic and healing aspect always emerges naturally. I also draw inspiration from Alejandro Jodorowsky's approach to psychomagic as a tool for self-transformation through imagination, creativity, and rituals.

Maija: What is the biggest lesson that you've learned over this past year?

Li: I've learned a lot about the importance of discipline, having patience for things to develop and handling frustration. Sometimes things don't go as planned, and that's perfectly normal. The work is to accept these feelings, find meaning in the lived experiences and grow through them - I transmute, transform and alchemise all these feelings through my work.

Maija: I notice most of your work is made on a larger scale, apart from the collages and sculptures you're exhibiting at In-Between. Have you always been drawn to producing mainly larger scale?

Li: Working on a larger scale allows me the freedom to use my body as a tool to express myself in the paintings. I’ll often buy a huge piece of linen, embroider it myself with a

sewing machine, and then spread the canvas inside the realm of the studio or outside on the earth with no one around. From there, I’ll paint and dance spontaneously on the fabric with whatever colours feel right that day.

Maija: Did you study dance or performance art beforehand? How did that aspect come into your work?

Li: I’ve been contemporary dancing throughout my whole art career, and actually studied classical dance when I was younger. I stopped for a little while, and then whilst I was at university picked up contemporary dance again, so that’s how I began combining both practices together. I normally like to do my performances alone in nature, or I’ll get somebody to film and take photographs and use that material later for my exhibitions/ installations. I’ve only had an audience watch me once - it’s more like an inner process that I go through when I move. It’s an internal energy in motion which helps me to create.

Maija: Do you have any morning rituals or particular practices that help you get into the creative process?

Li: I wake up in the morning and usually read a few pages of a book and meditate before looking at my phone. I’ve learnt a lot about myself through the practice of meditation, and will sometimes combine it with some type of energetic practice or breathing exercises. I also adore taking saunas, swimming and dancing in the early mornings!

Maija: I do the same in the morning - reading, meditation and running are my staples. I adore finding hidden beaches on the island too! Do you have a favourite place to swim in Ibiza?

Li: There are so many hidden coves and beaches on the island, Ibiza in that sense really is a dream... I’ve been going to a certain few for years, I don’t even know the names of them as they’re so tiny but I know exactly where they are! There are some amazing unexpected coves on the West coast of the island which I love.

Maija: Over the years, have there been certain definitive people that have lifted you up and encouraged you to pursue this path? Was it an inner drive you had that made you move from San Juan in Argentina to Ibiza as an artist?

Li: It was definitely a lot of self encouragement, however from a young age my parents have always encouraged me to pursue art as a career path as they were both super creative. My mother was an incredible artist and was always surrounded by other artists. I was so inspired by her genuine drive and hard working ethic – she established an art gallery in Argentina and was always busy painting or exhibiting her work. The only moment I could see my mum was either in her studio or at the gallery, I always knew where to find her! I went on to study Fine Art at the National University of Cuyo in Argentina, stemming from my lifelong love of researching art history, which now primarily informs my work. My sister took the path of design and makes her own jewellery on the island, and we often collaborate on different projects together.

Maija: So you’ve really grown up around that creative energy. If there’s one message that you would like to project with your artwork, what would it be?

Li: I often prefer the viewer to discover their own message in the work, even though I have my own personal narrative behind each piece. I love that the paintings look a bit unfinished and still need a certain touch, and the viewer finishes the message off or finds their own meaning. Just like the universe, I like to keep it a bit mysterious.

Maija: What made you want to exhibit your work at Inbetween Ibiza?

Li: The curation and type of artwork that Jessica chooses for the gallery is beautiful, and I love how she’s involved in pioneering the art scene in Ibiza. The building is also a historical gem in the heart of Dalt Vila so I feel very grateful to exhibit there.

Maija: You told me you’re working on a book which will be released in Spring (hopefully!)

Li: Yes it’ll be a book about all of my projects, the creative process and how all these mediums are unified. I’m a little introverted and always feel like it’s difficult to communicate everything in one, so this will fuse all the dimensions together. It’s been 3 years in the making so I’m very excited to release it. It’ll be a unique limited edition with signed copies in a select few galleries and shops - I don’t want to make too many!

Artist:
@li_ramet

Interviewed by:
Maija Carr
@maijacarr
carrmaija@gmail.com