Escape and Introspection

Beto Val: The article had a profound impact on me because of the author’s explanation of the reflexive ways we humans act and how the brain works in that process. Many of our actions are done by instinct but also by habit, and sometimes habit can be stronger than instinct even if it is not the right path. The idea of ​​exploring the pranks of memory through collage fascinated me.

My goal is for my collages to evoke a sense of nostalgia but also reflection. I want people to find an emotional connection in my art, an invitation to think about memory, time, and how they intertwine in our lives. By working with vintage images, I also hope to generate an appreciation for the untold stories found in these visual fragments of the past, inviting the viewer to reconsider what they have seen before and find new interpretations in what seems familiar.

Some of my collages include elements that suggest social tensions, historical changes, or contemporary concerns. By combining images from the past with those from the present, I seek to highlight how human issues and emotions are the same across time, and how certain themes continue to be relevant, no matter the era.

My process begins with searching for old images, whether they are royalty-free vintage photographs, posters, or illustrations. I love exploring digital and physical archives, where the images have a timeless quality. I then carefully select and digitally manipulate them, making adjustments to colors, textures, and combinations, until the images take on a new life. What interests me is the interplay between the different layers and how elements can be fused together to form new visual narratives. It is an intuitive process, where the play of textures and contrasts are fundamental to giving a unique tone to each piece.

The first piece I created was a digital collage of an octopus with a bird’s beak. It was a simple piece, but it meant a lot to me. I used old illustrations and combined them to create a surreal piece that played with the idea of ​​time. From there, I realized how powerful digital image manipulation could be to create new realities. That piece gave me the confidence to continue exploring digital collage as a form of artistic expression.

The pandemic was a challenging period, but art has always been a form of escape and introspection for me. During that time, digital collage became a tool to process complex emotions and express what I was feeling without the need for words. Collage work allowed me to create alternative worlds where I could take refuge but also confront the chaos of the world situation. By putting together images from the past, I could give them new meanings and find some hope in recomposing the chaos. It was an exercise in mental and emotional healing.