María Fragoso

Maryland Institute College of Art

Artwork title: El Paraíso Perdido Será Siempre El Paraíso
oil on canvas | 40 x 34 inches

Tell us about the work that you have submitted.
This work depicts a moment of intimacy and sharing, where touch and emotions such as desire are fundamental to exploring the relationships between the figures depicted. The interaction between these and the rest of the imagery introduces a dualistic tension between a sense of pleasure and pain, desire and guilt, aggression and tenderness.

How do you describe your work and practice?
My practice is primarily figurative painting, as well as drawing, printmaking and ceramics. My paintings blur the line between reality and the uncanny, where art historical references can encounter my personal history in order to engage with notions of cultural identity, gender and sexuality.

What motivated you to apply to the AXA Art Prize?
I have close friends who have been part of the exhibitions in the past years, which motivated me to participate. Also, I was motivated by the opportunity to discover other artists working in contemporary figurative painting and being able to be part of the conversations that the exhibitions might originate.

What about figurative work do you find particularly inspiring?
In art history, I am drawn to the figure in paintings and pay attention to the interactions that exist between them. In my work, I look to recreate and reinterpret these relationships, as an opportunity to question notions and roles of cultural identity, gender, sexuality, love, sex and religion.

www.mariafragoso.com
Instagram | @mariafragosoj