Rebeka Elizegi is a collage artist, art director and graphic designer based in Spain. In parallel with her exhibitions, which have a more artistic and personal feel, her collages have also appeared on the covers of books and magazines, not to mention on albums and posters and as part of decorative projects. She has also published various illustrated books that are based on collage.
Her work has been exhibited in Barcelona, Madrid, Los Angeles, and Berlin, and her illustrations have been featured in publications like Sample Magazine, Kolaj Magazine, BLNC Magazine, and many others.
She is also the author of the books Collage Therapy (2017) and Collage by Women (2019) (Promopress Editions).
She has collaborated as an illustrator with the newspapers La Vanguardia and Der Spiegel.
She is a member of the artist’s associations MAV, BNM and VEGAP.
Self-taught or art school?
I studied graphic design at the school of art and design “Escola Massana” in Barcelona. It is a type of multidisciplinary school, in which all artistic disciplines are in continuous contact, and art and design flow naturally between students. There I strengthened my idea of having a profession with which to work (I am a graphic designer) and develop a more artistic and free aspect based on collage.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
This is a very difficult question … I like too many pieces to choose just one.
It is not my ambition to own a specific work of art, but to enjoy art in general, discover and learn from other artists, historical and contemporary. If I had to choose between having a very important work or being able to continue visiting museums and galleries all my life, I would choose the second option.
How would you describe your style?
I have a hard time describing my own style …
Maybe, one thing that characterizes my work is that I generally set my pieces on a rigid support, so that they become small three-dimensional paper and cardboard sculptures that are “‘floating’ next to the wall,” projecting a small shadow.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
I exclusively make my collages by hand: “Using scissors and glue, I am interested in the search for new and diverse materials. I always create my pieces with found materials, I do not digitally retouch images beforehand, and I use images found in both old and new publications. I am interested in mixtures of temporalities.”
The materials that I find are a very interesting source of inspiration.
Is narrative important within your work?
Yes. I generally work from an idea or a defined project; This can be artistic or it can be a commission with a specific theme.
The female figure occupies an important place in my work. I am very interested in observing the situation of women today, but I also want to shed light on groups of women who have made valuable contributions in the past, especially in the fields of culture and art, and on those who have remained in the shadows due to a patriarchal telling of the history of art. I’m also interested in other social issues, gender diversity, and people who feel and live beyond the established norms. Images of bodies are also a constant in my work, with the body understood as a space that oppresses, that disorients and stigmatizes based on colour, age and gender, and that so often is a reason for subjugation. I try to liberate this space through my compositions.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
I find inspiration in the artistic movements born outside of the canons, such as surrealism, Dadaism, the ready-made, Pop Art, street art and any ideas that question the socially established.
What or who inspires your art?
I find inspiration in the reality of life, in the street, in nature, and especially in people. Also, the material with which I work inspires me.
I am always alert. I really like materials to come into my hands in a chance or unexpected way.
These are usually the best finds. I always have a bag at hand just in case I come across unexpected materials in my path. Of course, I also buy materials at flea markets, antique shops, bookshops and so on, but I prefer the surprise effect. I like materials to come to me, rather than having to look for them myself.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
Currently, my base studio is in Madrid, but I like to change the space, this also enhances my creativity and keeps me awake. I am from San Sebastian, in the Basque Country (Spain). I lived in Barcelona for many years and now I live in Madrid. The last years I have spent artistic seasons in other places like Berlin or Formentera, an island that inspires me especially to work.
Therefore, we could say that my studio is a mobile space.
Do you have any studio rituals?
Yes, mainly the mess when I’m creating! It is a natural and irremediable ritual!
What are you working on currently?
I am currently working on different projects. Some personal Works about social issues (attached images) and other commissioned works. I also exhibit in two collective exhibitions in the coming months, one at the Center d’art – Espace Monet-Rollinat, in France and another one at Arteuparte gallery in San Sebastian.
Where can we buy your art?
My work is available in different galleries and also contact me directly.
https://www.arteuparte.com/categoria-producto/rebeka-elizegi/
