Interview with Mauricio Estrada

Can you give a quick introduction?

Hello!

My name is Mauricio Estrada, I’m a Salvadorian-Canadian Image Artist based in Southwestern
Ontario. Which is a nice way to say I'm in-between places. My work focuses on the
the space where the 'natural' and the ‘human’ intersect, and in creating objects and
experiences that transcend previously established boundaries surrounding these two ‘distinct’
groups.

How did you start this project and why?

The project really started in my 3rd year while I was studying abroad in Sydney, Australia. From
day one I was fascinated with the local flora, and the sheer variety of gardens and parks. I think
it was really compound by the fact that I arrived during the middle of Canadian winter so it was
a great change of scenery.
I started to experiment with new sculptural works that explored creative ways to depict the
natural objects I was emulating. Ironically though, I focused on using plant forms native to
North America as they had a familiarity to them. As these experiments grew in size and range I
started to became interested in how these hybrid objects bridged the gap between ‘natural’
and ‘unnatural’. And I started to wonder if these objects could replace their real world counter
part, and if so in what capacity?
Palisade started off with a statement, I affectionally called my experiments I made in Australia
my Virtual Garden. When I got back and went to start my 4th year thesis, I saw it as the chance
to continue my previous work, and I said to myself. “I’m going to build an actual virtual garden,
that people can physically walk through”

Whats your creative process with this project?

After I decided I was going to build a ‘garden’. I then started to plan the experience and work
on the various elements, the sculptures, the emulated space, the ‘walls’; it was my first
installation so it was all new and exciting. I took out every book the university had on French
and Formal gardens for inspiration. Little by little different things were added, cut, altered. All in
the aim to build up the experience as a whole.
Eventually Virtual Reality came into the mix as the ultimate way (currently) to emulate a physical
experience. And the rest is what you can see here.

What’s integral to your work as an artist?

Smiles, both on me and hopefully on the viewers face.

What role do you have as an artist in society?

I think the role of artist is very similar to the role of the garden or park. When I walk into a
garden I want to escape, to feel calm, to be delighted, to feel a sense of discovery, I want
something that feels new, but also familiar; and if nothing else a sense of relief and sanctuary
from the everyday.

How has your practice changed over time?

I actually started out as a landscape photographer, but even then I was still interested in places
where humans and nature meet, the edges of suburbs, new infrastructure projects that cut
through woodlands, the thin line of trees that signify landownership on farms, things like that.
At Ryerson I started to work in new forms of picture making and ways to engage with images;
and I found my love for found imagery. Its been two years since I’ve picked up a camera, but
I’m still interested in landscapes, they just changed slightly; now I make them.
Im sure my practice will continue to evolve into the future; and honesty i’m excited to see what
weird thing I come up with next.

Who do you draw inspiration from as an artist?

I try to draw inspiration from everywhere, but I find my self most inspired by physical spaces,
particularly those where people like to spend time, they vary much have an aura that compels
people, and if you notice they usually have a tree or two.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for reading!