Today we’d like to introduce you to Connie Arismendi.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am an artist. As a child, I wanted to be Michelangelo. My family was living in Brooklyn, and I went to the 1964 World’s Fair. The Vatican had a pavilion, and they showcased Michelangelo’s Pieta. Viewing it was a pivotal experience in my life, and I stood in line twice to get a second look at the sculpture. I was nine years old and my fate was sealed. I wanted to be Michelangelo and create a great work of art for the church! That was the beginning of big goals and vision for my life. My family had their hands full with me, the sensitive, strong-willed baby of the family.
I maintained that vision and pursued art with a passion through high school and into college. I have a Master of Fine Art degree from SAIC, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I have a 36 years professional career, with a hiatus from 2011-2019. Today I am working toward a solo show in September 2022 at Flatbed Center for Contemporary Printmaking.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life is beautiful, full of opportunities and challenges. At 66, I’ve learned that no one goes through life unscathed. I was at the height of my career when a tidal wave of grief hit my life. In the space of four months, my 30 year marriage ended in divorce, my brother died, followed by the death of my beloved father. Grief rocked me to my core, my beliefs were tested, and I questioned my purpose in life. In 2011 stepped back from my life as an artist. I lost myself.
I found myself when I walked the Way of St James. The 500 mile pilgrims route to Santiago de Compostela. I discovered my true strength, the difficulties I experienced in life made me a stronger person. The spirit of that little nine year old girl was reignited, the gift of big vision and big goals had not been forgotten. One thing I know is that we all get knocked down, but we can get back up again. I’m making art again and like the prodigal child, I’ve returned home.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a mixed media installation artist. The fragility of the body and the resilience of the human spirit have been my subject matter. My work is conceptual and influenced by the traditions of the Latin American altar. It is a place of remembering and imbued with emotion. The altar is where we place our fear, desires, joy and sorrow. Currently, I am working on a series of prints that investigate meaning and the ambiguity of words, and the cloud is a recurring element. In the Old Testament, the cloud is a symbol of God’s presence in the temple. It can be an illuminating presence that brings clarity, or a shadow that obscures and confuses the mind. I was inspired by the first line of Amanda Gorman’s poem The Hill We Climb. “When day comes, we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” The work investigates the dark shade and the illuminating light.
In addition to my studio practice, I have several public art sculptures and installations around the city. I am proud that most of them are in East Austin. You can find an array of two sculptures and a scenic overlook along Town Lake that honor Austin musicians; they are part of the Trail of Tejano Legends. For several years I collaborated with Laura Garanzuay, we produced the Cesar Chavez Memorial that stands next to the Terrazas Library and the suspended sculpture inside 360 Condos at 3rd and Nueces.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Everyone needs a guide for the journey. I am fortunate to have the friendship and guidance of some incredible friends. Mentoring is something that happens naturally. There is an interest on both sides and a friendship forms around the work, conversations deepen, and questions can be shared. Wisdom comes in many forms; some mentors are older, but I have a few that are younger. Celia Alvarez Munoz is one of my dearest friends and most influential mentors. I met her when I was right out of graduate school. She is fierce intelligent, and at 85 she continues to inspire and show me the way.
Contact Info:
- Email: conniearis@hotmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conniearismendi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connie.arismendi
Image Credits
Portrait – Morgan Sessions Public Art – David Omer Photography Clouds – Christopher Zaleski
