Sharon Alviz was born in Barranquilla Colombia. She grew up near the ocean, so she can easily connect with spaces that represent expansion, geometric atmosphere, and nature. She studied advertising, yet photography became her true passion. Upon completing her career, Sharon moved to Bogota to study photography at the French Academy of the Image. She continues with other studies in fashion photography at the Bloom College, and a few years later, she takes a different path and becomes a self-taught architecture photographer.
Her subject of interest is the power of the mind and consciousness: “Who looks outside dreams; Who looks inside awakes” Carl Gustav Jung.The images she captures are based on these thoughts. In 2008, Sharon got her first international publication on the “Men’s Journal Magazine” in New York. Her work is also been published on the “Ministry of Culture’s Book”, “Life and Work of Petrona Martinez”, and “A tribute to the African Palenque Culture”. Other magazine publications from Colombia are Revista Cabriola, Revista Dinero, and Revista Elenco.
Self-taught or art school?
I studied photography and advertising, but I am a self-taught artist.
If you could own of one work of art what would it be?
I would love to get “Ginger Shore, Causeway Inn, Tampa, Florida, 17 November 1977”, from the Uncommon Places series by Stephen Shore. I love it!
How would you describe your style?
I use symmetry and geometry in my photography. Female bodies and bold colours represent my style. I’m always obsessed with clean aesthetics and geometry. Colour makes my soul vibrate. Yellow tones are predominant in all scenarios. My current photographs focus on minimalism with a sense of unsettling peacefulness.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
The idea stems from a sense of connection between my thoughts and feelings. I have a little notebook that I take with me everywhere. I try to sketch these ideas while I write them down as quickly as possible. I also write in there which bold colour I am going to use next, the outfit, the objects, the lines, the positioning, the perspective, or the lenses. Other times something I’ve seen online captures my attention, and I save it in my inspirational board called “Mi contemporáneo”.
When I’m inspired, I use my digital and sometimes my analog camera because films force you to think about the image. The mobile is another tool for me to catch a potential location. I love to drive anywhere and surprise myself by taking photographs in places I knew before. My creative process should be a journey. I’m never in a hurry.
Sometimes I can spend hours watching what happens around me. Nature is a great place to spend those hours. I need to feel a deep connection with the idea. I meditate with it, ask questions too, and feel it. I have a reference point.
It is an organic moment that I am experimenting with my narrative. At the start, I have just an idea. I do not know the exact time I use to develop a project, but I know when I am in the right path.
Is narrative important with in your work?
First, I need to tell you a little story about me, because I want you to understand all about my narrative. When I finished my studies, I knew that I wanted to be an artist. Someone told me once that I should not pursue my dream because it could be difficult to make a living out of it. I didn´t know then anything about how to function the power of the mind. Every single person is 100% able to create their reality. Unfortunately, I believed him, and I forgot about my dream.
I started to feel disconnected when I used to work in commercial photography for many years. I knew something was not great. I began to ask myself why. I needed to add excitement to my job.
In 2011, meditation gave me the answer. I remembered that day, when I expressed my desire. I felt angry and sad at the same time. So I changed my perspective of life and I’ve learned how to empower myself and believe in me again. I’ve learned how to start something new after so many years. So, going back to your question,
Yes, the narrative is important because my work reflects my unique perspective and life experience, and it is a reflection of what matters for me. My story speaks about my truth. I explore how my mind works. Nobody can tell me what to do anymore because I recognize my power. The state of awareness reflected in my pictures is represented by a calm woman who inhabits a place that exudes solitude. A symbolic way of being one with yourself. That woman is always me. It is my point of view.
I feel an impulse to show others the narrative of my work.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
I love the power of colour in Stephen Shore’s compositions. How he finds perfect moments when nothing happens; to different to, Cartier he photographs the decisive moment. I think the compositional techniques of Cartier-Bresson is ideal. I get delighted in his vision of geometry.
Martin Munkácsi is another of them. I feel connected to the ability to capture the action poetically, between geometry and his fashion style.
What or who inspires your art?
In my pictures, I capture the connection between my inner and outer world. How to use the power of the mind inspires me because I can see the process of how my physique works and how I grow up through my art. When I experience something meaningful, I feel the need to create straight away. For me, the mind is an unknown world full of colour, geometry, and wisdom.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
I am currently living and working in Puerto Colombia on the Colombian Caribbean Coast. I enjoy a place with lots of natural light. My studio is my home too. They are both located on the same land near the sea. I’m surrounded by nature.
On my desk, there are always inspirational books. My studio is full of plants. I´m living in the tropics. I am bordering by butterflies, many kinds of birds, squirrels, dragonflies, bees, and my dog.
My working space smell like lemongrass.
Do you have any studio rituals?
I am making art my spiritual practice. I have some rituals. I will share with you eight of them.
I use Sunday to plan my week. I have got a big to-do list for the rest of the week. I know the way I spend my morning every day makes the difference in what kind of energy I will put into the day. Music plays an important role in every ritual I do.
Ritual1: I wake up early when it´s still dark. This routine, in particular, makes me feel very energetic.
Ritual2: Feel gratitude. “Thanks” is my favorite word every day and every time. It is a relevant aspect of abundance and empowerment.
Ritual3: I meditate and work-out every day. I love having time for my spiritual life. My mobile is set to Airplane mode for the first four hours in the morning.
Ritual4. I studied tzolkin (Mayas´ Calendar) some years ago, so I like to read about the energy of each day. Maya´s wisdom keeps me focused.
Ritual 5: I find artists around the web whose work I find fascinating and inspiring. Ritual 6: I drink Basil tea as part of my routine.
Ritual7: I read for 30 minutes every day; This moment is meaningful.
Ritual8: When I need a break, I take the sun outside. Some days I go to the sea.
What are you working on currently?
Nowadays, I am part of the collective online exhibition at floorr magazine in London. Here is a link to visit the complete project: http://www.sharonalviz.com/as_above_so_below.html
Where can we buy your art?
I am currently showing at Florr Magazine’s online exhibition. https://www.floorronlineexhibition.com
You can also find me on Instagram @sharonalviz, and on my website http://www.sharonalviz.com/
