300.3A Creative-Compulsive Disorder: Q&A with Marcel Artes Deolazo

Marcel Artes Deolazo studied illustration at Syracuse University before moving to New York City to work in the fashion industry. He later relocated to Milan to work for Maison Valentino and other Italian fashion houses. Since then, he has freelanced as an illustrator for Italian Vogue and other Condé Nast publications. Deolazo currently maintains a studio located at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, an artist community on the waterfront of Old Town Alexandria. He was juried into the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association in 2015, and the majority of his work and art processes can be seen by the visiting public at his shared studio.

300.3A Creative-Compulsive Disorder was on view at Hillyer on May 3 – June 2, 2019.

You consider yourself an “urban globetrotter.” How has that label informed the art that you have made and continue to make?

I use my travel experiences of the past as a catalyst for ideas and subject matter to my work. Traveling thru Europe and Asia I have see many things from street style art to world famous museums and I want to bring a more relatable interpretation between the two. An interpretation of the historic as urban styles that give a fresh outlook to classic themes in art.

How does your ceramics background influence your illustrations and vice versa? Is there always an interplay between ceramics and illustration, such as in your illustrated ceramics? What do you hope to address in your work?

Technically there are many limitations in ceramics that have taken me a long time to resolve. My major influence has come from Yuan Dynasty ceramics and symbolism behind the subject matter and attention to details of the painting.The brush strokes, and minute details and symbology behind the images and design motifs.

What are some other mediums that you have used that reflect your artistic vision and your global experiences and background?

I constantly get bored with one medium and am always looking for other mediums to combine and enrich my work. Illustration/ceramics, ceramics/fiber arts and other ways to draw or collaborating with other Artisans. This I learned while living in Italy which is a frequent way of bringing one’s art to another level of creativity .This has been done since the Renaissance and continues even today.

How do you see your art evolving? What are some upcoming projects you are working on or concepts you are interested in exploring for the future?

I have been very disciplined since taking on the preparation for this solo show and see whee it will take me. I am looking into different residencies or grant possibilities where I can concentrate on how my work can evolve.The problem is having enough time to dedicate to it while trying to run my business and teaching schedule. I am looking towards more installation art as a possible future where I can combine different mediums together on a bigger scale of combined work.