In my work I always look for that hand made look, and obvious traces of every step on the creation of the piece. Raquel Bessudo interviewed by Klimt02

What's local and universal in your artistic work?
I grew up watching woman sewing and embroidering as a hobby, and when I think about it, it gives me a sense of the passing of time, so I could say in many ways this would be the local in my work. The themes and my introspective research, the memories which I refer to have been inspired by a more universal vision and experiences in my every day.


What do you expect when you show your work to the public (for example, with an exhibition)?
To be able to communicate with my work and for people to connect with it.


How important is handmade for you in your development? What role does technics and technology play in your development?
The handcraft is essential; in my work, I always look for that hand made look, and obvious traces of every step on the creation of the piece.  Metalwork technics have been in most pieces a key aspect on the making of my work.


When you start making a new piece what is your process? How much of it is a pre-formulated plan and how much do you let the material spontaneity lead you?
Most of my pieces are developed spontaneously although I always start with a preconceived idea of what I´m looking to express. I work with an open mind to let the work be shaped during the process of creation


Are there any other areas besides the jewels present in your work?
I paint and draw as research and inspiration, in my most recent work I´ve integrated it to my pieces like in the series Memory of a day (irreversible). Where I use metal point drawing technique and the series path where I start by making a painting, which I then segment and work over it.


How important is wearability in contemporary jewellery? And in your pieces?
My pieces are always thought for the body, so you could say wearability is important in my work, all though if it comes to a piece that it's not, I think its importance would rely in the way it refers to the body and the dialogue it can create therefore being equally valid.


The last work, book, film, city that moved me was...
Books: Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata and All the light you cannot see by Anthony Doerr.
Movies: Searching for sugar man.
City: I’ve always been drawn by big cities especially London, but most recently the place I was definitely moved  by  is the Stawamus Chief which is a huge granite monolith in Squamish BC, Canada,


What/who is the biggest influence in your career?
Artist like Louis Bourgeois,  Eva Hesse, Mona Hatoum, Gada Amer have been definitely an inspiration for my work since the beginning of my practice. The artist in my jewelry group in Mexico and my long term tutor Lorena Lazard play a very important role on my everyday practice.


Which piece of work gave you more satisfaction?
Piece: Memory of a day  VI.

What is your source to get information?
My every day


Considering the experiences you have had over the years - if you could go back and give yourself a piece of advice for the start-up phase, what would that be?
Trust your intuition.