I believe...
My art is inspired by my life journey as a woman who lives between two worlds, my native Chile and my new home, Santa Fe; and by my perception of nature itself, with its shapes, lines, texture and colors that invite me to create suggestive pieces that aim to speak a universal language, in which the viewer can, hopefully relate to its own experiences.
I work with clay of all types which gives me the ability to play freely to create sensuous sculptural abstract shapes layered with muted yet vibrant colors that are inspired by high-mountain foliage in equal parts with otherworldly jungle flowers, as well as more utilitarian objects, bas reliefs and installation work. I strive for clean shapes, lines and gracefulness in which the craft plays a fundamental role.
A Bit About Me
Andrea grew up in Santiago, Chile, where she graduated in 1987 from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile with a Master Degree in Fine Arts with honors. She participated from 1985 -2010 in many exhibits and her work can be found in many public spaces as well as private collections in Chile, Argentina, Germany, Brazil, USA, Canada, Spain and The Vatican. She has given many lectures and has been a curator for various exhibits.
She worked as an Associate Professor, Vice Chair and Head of the Sculpture Department at the Art School of the P. Catholic University between 1994 -2010 and also created and taught at her private studio. During that period she also worked in many community projects throughout Chile, to create a better environment for low income areas and the underserved.
She was commissioned to create three different Stations of The Cross in Santiago, Chile (2003: Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, San Pablo Church; 2005: San Francisco de Sales Church and 2005: Church and Parque Las Pataguas)
In 2004 she was commissioned to sculpt a Prayer Vase for the Schoenstadt Community at the Vatican. Selected by Pope John Paul II
Her book “El Arte de la Tierra y el Fuego, Manual práctico para el alumno” (The Art of Cay and Fire, Student’s manual) was published in 2003
She moved to Santa Fe, NM in 2010 where she married Dr. Dave Gonzales and since then her work has been widely exhibited and collected though out the state and beyond and has won many awards. Her passion for teaching has continued, first at Santa Fe Clay as well as her private studio.
In Santa Fe
Exhibits, commission work, workshops, lectures and others:
2014
International Juried Clay Festival in Silver City, “A Tile & A Vessel” exhibit at the Historic Carter House Gallery, Awarded 2nd Place.
In House Exhibit II at Santa Fe Clay Gallery, Santa Fe. Featured in Santa Fe/North, Venue section, pg 5-6.
Participating artist at Contemporary Clay Fair; Women’s Club, Santa Fe
Pop Up Show @508 Gallery, Santa Fe.
2015
Presentation of: “The Making of the Stations of the Cross”. Palen Hall, Church of the Holy Faith.
2012-13
Commissioned by the historic The Church of the Holy Faith in downtown Santa Fe to sculpt their 14 Stations of the Cross. Permanent installation.
Featured in Albuquerque Journal Art section, Making an Impression, December 23, 2012; and Santa Fe/North, Venue, Section S, pgs. 1-2. December 21, 2012
2016
In House Exhibit at Santa Fe Clay Gallery, Santa Fe. Awarded Best of Show
International Juried Clay Festival in Silver City, McCray Gallery, WNMU.
Participating artist at Contemporary Clay Fair; Women’s Club, Santa Fe.
NMPCA annual “Celebration of Clay” Exhibit at the Sunport in Albuquerque. NM (2016-2017)
Santa Fe Clay, Holiday Sale & Open House.
2011
“We Konn Em -New Beginnings”, Private Sculpture Studio Exhibit, Santa Fe, NM
2016-20
Joined New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists.Org. Elected into the Board of NMPCA and co-chair for COC 2019 and 2020 exhibits.
2017
“Dining with the Artist”, Amaya Restaurant at Hotel Santa Fe, Dinner, Lecture and Sale.
2018
NMPCA annual “Celebration of Clay” Exhibit at Total Arts Gallery in Taos, NM. Received Merit Award and People’s Choice Award.
“The Vessel Exhibit” at Fuller Lodge Art Center, Los Alamos, NM; Received People’s Choice Award.
NMPCA “Resonations in Clay, Life in the Bosque”, Juried Exhibit at the Albuquerque Open Space Center; Albuquerque, NM.
Featured in Ceramics Monthly Magazine, Exposure section, pg. 16. September 2018. www.ceramicsmonthly.org
NMPCA Ghost Ranch Workshop Gallimaufry. Presenter: “Hand Building of Breathing Nests”, Ghost Ranch, NM.
30th Old San Ysidro Church Fine Art Show, Corrales. NM.
“Art for Healing - Always with You”, Art Director and one of the 16 participating artists for two tile walls placed in the Chapel at the new Presbyterian Hospital in Santa Fe. NM.
2019
“Off Center, an international Clay Competition”, Blue Line Arts Gallery, Roseville, CA.
Participating artist at Santa Fe Studio Tour.
NMPCA annual “Celebration of Clay Exhibit” at Santa Fe Clay in Santa Fe. Received UNM Arita Porcelain Award for Beauty, Quality and Functionality.
Sole Juror for the Taos Fall Arts Festival, Taos, NM. Featured in Taos Magazine, Pg. 23, September 2019, TAOSMagazine.com.
Participating artist at the “29th Arts Thrive Exhibition & Benefit” for the Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque.
“Friendship in Clay” Exhibit, Shining Stone Gallery in Abiquiu.
SFSE 365, Holiday Show, Edition One Gallery on Canyon Rd., Santa Fe
2020
Selected artist for: “12 New Mexico Artists to know now 2020”, The Magazine. February– march 2020/southwestcontemporary.com/pgs. 48-49.
“12 New Mexico Artists to know now 2020”, Exhibit at Southwest Contemporary’s Gallery, Santa Fe.
Got representation with Tierra Mar Gallery in Santa Fe.
NMPCA annual “Celebration of Clay” Exhibit, Fuller Lodge Art Center in Los Alamos. NM. Awarded Best of Show with the wall piece “We are all in this together”.
Presenter for the annual Workshop of New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists at Ghost Ranch, NM. “Paper Clay”.
Participating artist at the “30th Arts Thrive Exhibition & Benefit” for the Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM.
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