Three Pieces

About the Artist

Mariana Ruvalcaba Cruz is a Mexican artist born in Guadalajara, Jalisco who is currently studying at the University of the Incarnate Word. She is getting her BFA in Fine Arts with a concentration in sculpture, and also doing a double minor in Psychology and Art Therapy. You can follow her on social media: Instagram: @mari.r_art99; Tiktok: @marianaruvalcabaart.

Interview With The Artist

1. What was your inspiration for this piece?

These sculptures were inspired by the need to give a physical body to those emotions that are hard to express or put into words. I have found there are many things that are hard to put into words, especially when it comes to more subjective concepts or ideas with no physical form such as emotions, thoughts, and feelings. For this body of work I focused on giving a solid form to those feelings. I want my work to be something that people can relate to and help them to better understand themselves and the world around them. I like to use hands to represent these ideas because they have really strong expressive qualities that make it easier to relate to and connect with the sculptures.

2. What is your creative process?

I have sketchbooks filled with drawings and ideas I come up to all the time. I always carry a sketchbook with me because sometimes ideas come to me at random times, or sometimes when I feel overwhelmed, stressed, or sad I use art as way of coping with those emotions. It helps me to put all those things on paper and understand them better. After having my ideas on paper, I come up with a plan to transform those ideas into a three-dimensional piece.

3. What are some influences on your artistic process?

I think most of my art has been influenced by Surrealism. Some of my favorite artists are Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte, Van Gogh, Frida Kalo, and Miles Jonhston. I also incorporate psychology on my work in some level. I find fascinating how each person has a whole unique world inside their heads. I use art to express myself and as a way to communicate my ideas to others. I like to create surreal pieces that mirror my perception of reality and my inner world. I like to explore very personal topics such as complex emotions, and mental health. I also include topics like the subconscious and dream-like scenarios.

Editors’ Comments

About “Feel It”: "The detail on the hands really caught my eye as I was observing the photos. This is something I really want to see in person so I can look at it even closer. The detail really shows the hands of a hardworking person and possibly even the struggle to get where they're going."