Martacarmela Sotelo interviewed by Klimt02

Do you think that jewellery is being standardized? What is there of local and universal in your artistic work?
I do believe commercial jewellery is standardized; they follow trends and provide designed pieces up to 4 times a year according to the market. Contemporary jewellery in Latin America is very different from that of other parts of the world we deal with issues from different perspectives.  For us the term crafts have a different meaning, some times is even political. I don’t think my work can be called just local. I do work with universal issues but from my own specific point of view.


What do you expect when exposing your work to the public (for example with an exhibition)? 
I like to hear what they say, their reaction.  I like their surprise when they see this kind of “jewellery”. For most of the people, jewellery is just an adornment, an accessory; they can’t believe it can even be a social, political or personal statement.


Are other areas besides the jewellery, present in your work?
Defenetly printmaking as a mean of registring the processes. Architecture because of my background is very present in the constructions of space whith in my work.


The last work, book, film, city that has moved me was...
Wind up bird chronicles by Haruki Murakami; his way of writing, his contemporary fiction and the way I relate to the thoughts of the characters is something I love. The relationship with the self and the spaces in the novel is absorbing.  I can even feel the pain on the characters, their loneliness their personal freedom.


A place, space, country whose creativity surprises me...
Oaxaca in Mexico.


Is there any designer, jeweller, artist, you appreciate a lot?
Rahel Whiteread’s work appeals a lot to me.  Her Idea of materializing the void, the emptiness, the overlooked in objects is something I am very interested in.
 

What piece or work has given you the most satisfaction?
My last series Constructing Hands, is a work about constructing with fused iron.  I love the technique and the possibility of the whole piece in becoming one.
 

Constructing Hands. Brooch, 2016. Ffused iron, enamel, engraves copper, inox steel. 7 ⌀ x 5 cm


Do you read Jewellery Magazines? What is your source to get information?
Some times I read Metalsmith. But mainly I like magazines like Smith (about everything) Selvedge, New Yorker, etc I like to not only to look at jewellery but many things. I like to hear podcasts while I work, some times news, some times about music, sometimes stories and overlooked things, like the 99% invisible podcast.


Do you discuss your work with other jewellery artists or any other person?
Yes we have a CJ group in Mexico where every week we discuss about our work and others.


What is your first thought when you hear the word Future? What do you expect for?
It depends on the context.  Lately it makes me sad and worries me because of all the political turmoil, terrorism, migration, killings, etc.  But when not related to all this I always think about progression. Moving on, do better!