Mercedes Azpilicueta

Mercedes Azpilicueta - Tonguelet of tonguelets) Bestary

Técnica: Chinese Ink On Paper

Biografía del Artista: Mercedes Azpilicueta is an Argentinian artist currently based in the Netherlands. Her work is characterized by the use of different media, including performance, drawing, sculpture and video, to explore themes such as identity, femininity and representation. In her work, Azpilicueta focuses on the exploration of voice, body and language, using a variety of techniques and materials to create pieces that move between the abstract and the figurative. Many of her works have a strong performative dimension, inviting the viewer to participate in creating the meaning of the work. Azpilicueta has received several awards and recognitions throughout her career. In 2019, she won the Gasworks Art Prize in London, which included a three-month artist residency in the city. In 2017, she was selected to participate in the artist-in-residence programme at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, and in 2018 she was awarded the Koninklijke Prijs voor Vrije Schilderkunst, one of the most prestigious art awards in the Netherlands. Azpilicueta’s style is characterised by her multidisciplinary approach and her ability to combine seemingly disparate elements to create works that question hegemonic narratives and gender stereotypes. Her work has been exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions in Europe and Latin America, and her innovative and provocative style has made her one of the most interesting and relevant artists of her generation.

Rooted in the fantastic genre, the script is initially inspired by proto-scientific medieval books of botanical plants, imaginary animals and beasts that have populated and inspired the imagination for many centuries. The script touches on early ecofeminists theories, forgotten and obsolete knowledge such as alchemy and natural medicinal herbs, crafted textile and dyeing techniques, “neobarroso” (neo-baroque) poetry, 'dirty' or failed translations, fantastic beings, witches, healers and legends from medieval Europe and Pre-Hispanic America. - Rooted in the fantasy genre, the script is initially inspired by medieval proto-scientific books of botanical plants, imaginary animals and beasts that have populated and inspired the imagination for many centuries. The script touches on primitive ecofeminist theories, forgotten and obsolete knowledge such as alchemy and natural medicinal herbs, artisanal weaving and dyeing techniques, “neobarroso” (neo-baroque) poetry, “dirty” or failed translations, fantastical beings, witches, healers and legends from medieval Europe and pre-Hispanic America.