Meet Adriana Lopez-Ospina | Mix Media Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Adriana Lopez-Ospina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Adriana, why did you pursue a creative career?
It was less of an option and more of need. I tried working in other fields, but a majority of the time I found myself thinking about what I wanted to create next. I had a hard time focusing on anything else. Other creatives can probably relate when I say that it possesses you. It feels like an obsession. I would spend any free time I had outside of what I had to do to pay bills making new work. A majority of my nights out were and still are to art and culture events. I can’t imagine doing anything else if I’m honest.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am currently working on a series of installations made with naturally dyed wool woven into wire. Recently I won a grant to fund a year long project. It’s the first year I’ve written a grant and I was honestly surprised to have been one of the grantees. I had always heard how difficult and competitive they were so I thought it would just be starting point to even try my hand at writing one.

The grant will be funding a series of workshops focusing on public heath and environmental issues. I live in the eastern Coachella Valley which is in close proximity to the Salton Sea. It is known to be an environmental hazard. As the lake shrinks, winds pick up sediments from the increasingly exposed dry lake bed and spread them into surrounding communities, which are mostly low-income, making asthma and other respiratory diseases worse. The smaller lake is also more polluted and saline, which reduces habitat for fish and birds.

The workshops will use fiber and writing as a way to talk about and express our interconnectedness. Fiber is defined as “a thread or filament from which a vegetable, mineral substance, or textile is formed” but also as “strength of character.” Fibers intertwine to create all forms of materials and in a way we can define people as forms of fiber that are connected and affected by its environment. By combining text and textiles, participants will have the opportunity to express themselves and their experiences through a creative medium, thus raising awareness and creating dialogue around these important issues.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Monday: -The Living Desert to feed the Giraffes
-Dinner at Farm to stay on animal theme, but more because they have the best drinks after a hot day walking around.

Tuesday:
-Lounge by the pool at the Saguaro get a little tan and they have a poolside bar
– Briba for dinner to soak up all the drinks with the best Italian style pizza and pasta.

Wednesday:
-Brunch at The Cafe at Shields for a bacon and date omelette and a stroll through their gorgeous garden.
-A walk through the Thousand Palms Oasis to see the local lizards and birds.

Thursday:
-Hike the short Tahquitz Canyon trail to a waterfall (in the desert, who knew)
-Brunch at Elmer’s for their giant German pancakes.

Friday:
-Chill day
-Hopefully is the first Friday of the month because there are ton of art events. Choose one of the art walks that night. Sip wine, eat snack, look at and buy art.
-After, late night drinks at the Rowan’s rooftop bar. If you bring a swimsuit it can also be a late night sip and swim.

Saturday:
-Rest during the day after a late night.
-Around 5 start strolling around DTPS
-Go to Arenas Rd for all the gay bars to dance and drink.
-In-n-Out on the way home for late night dinner.

Sunday
-Brunch at whichever restaurant PS Drag Brunch is having their event that day
-Relax after all the running around that week.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give credit to Coachella Valley Art Center. Working and creating in an environment surrounded by other artists has been invaluable. School never prepares you for how difficult it will be to work in the studio on your own. Working independently in the studio has its time, but being the only one day in and day out can be isolating. Being around other artists has really pushed me and made the work more enjoyable.

Website: https://www.puraprojects.com/

Instagram: @puraprojects

Other: TikTok: @puraprojects