What is the best thing that I love about my work?

What I like the most about my activity is that I do it with passion. I spend hours in my studio and I barely see the time go by. And, when I stop I only think to return next day and continue my work.

What is my idea of happiness?

For me happiness is to love what we do and don’t stop dreaming.

What is my greatest fear?

It is not really something I think about frequently, but my biggest fear is losing my autonomy. I am not afraid to grow old, but I hope to do it in good health.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I don’t hate any trait in myself. However, I think we can all improve ourselves and I hope to continue doing so.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

Some of the artists I admire the most are: the French artist Vera Molnár, an early pioneer of computer art; the Uruguayan sculptor Pablo Atchugarry; Brazilian artist Vik Muniz and American Peter Halley, recognized for his geometric abstractions.

What is my greatest extravagance?

My obsession with the cube. I love this shape that is recurrent in my work and conveys stability and order. I see cubes everywhere 😉

On what occasion would I lie?

It’s a very difficult question because I don’t believe lying will help with anything and although sometimes it is difficult I think that honesty is always the best solution. But you can never say never.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

Self promotion.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

I loved my participation in the Montluçon Art Mobile group exhibition. This because during three days many activities gave artists the opportunity to meet the public. I was surprised that even if Montluçon is a very small commune in France, the place was always full of welcoming people and really interested in contemporary art. That experience made me want to find the public even more often and in places that I would not have thought of before.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

Nothing.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

Do my work honestly and sincerely regardless of the judgments.

Where would I most like to live?

Near the sea.

What is my most treasured possession?

It’s not really a possession, but I would like to say my family.

What is my most marked characteristic?

I am someone very organized and I love planning everything.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

My studio.

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city?

It’s a restaurant with a Latin and relaxed atmosphere called La Movida, they make the best drinks.

What books influenced my life and how?

The first book that had a strong impact on me, even though I was very little when I read it, was Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni. What I like most concerning this book is how in such a simple way the author tells us about so important things as tolerance, integration and friendship.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

Everything from the 80s

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

The wizard Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

People that care about others and fight for the equality of rights, but also persons that have difficult life and don’t give up.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

The Green Mile. One of the most touching movies I have ever seen.

What role plays art in my life and work?

Art occupies every moment of my day.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

I totally agree with that and I believe that everything we set out to do is possible.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My husband and my son.

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2020?

I would love to find people who take care of promoting my work. Someone who is seriously committed to their artists and who is interested in what artists have to say. I mean gallery owners like Kamel Mennour who, when you hear them talk about their artists, convey a real passion. That is just one example, but there are many such gallery owners. In my city, for example, there are three places that I particularly like to visit, a recently opened gallery called Fabienne Levy, the Cdac and the Heinzer Reszler gallery in Lausanne. There, people take the time to discuss and explain the artistic approach and process of each piece.

Which people in my profession who can make a real difference in my creative career would I love to meet in 2020?

It would be great to exhibit in Spain. It is a country that I really like and that I visit whenever I can. Not only the people there are very friendly, but the cultural offer is impressive. So, it would be nice to meet people from there who work in culture.

What project, in 2020, am I looking forward to work on?

I would like to meet others artists and also art curators to work with in group exhibitions or other cultural projects.

Where can you see me or my work in 2020?

At the moment and due to the global situation that we are going through, the projects for 2020 are on stand-by, waiting for new dates. But normally I will participate in some group exhibitions in Switzerland and France very soon.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

Sometimes we get caught up by problems and routine, but sooner or later what we are passionate about makes us remember what the important things are.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?

Miren Amaya Hernandez, Valeria Traversa and Alessandra Berta

How can you contact me?

Visiting me web site: http://www.silviavelazquez.com/ Or the social networks: https://www.instagram.com/silvia_velazquez_sv/ https://www.facebook.com/velazquez.sil

Here follows a message of Peter de Kuster, founder of The Heroine’s Journey