Meet Laura Trujillo Salazar | Interdisciplinary Visual Artist, Ecofeminist and Future Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Trujillo Salazar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura, what inspires you?
I feel the most inspired when I am working with trash! This is how I feel the best and the most creative. When I am upcycling or having fun with nasty materials, especially if they degrade, mold, or decompose, this is one of the reasons why I started to delve into the realm of bioplastics. I find this material interesting because it relates to some of the concepts I like to touch on in my art, For me, bioplastics have become an integral part of the inspiration of a lot of projects I undertake, serving as a sculptural solution that allows my practice to explore unconventional avenues. I enjoy being surprised by the many forms the plastic can take: It can grow mold, melt, and be shaped into many objects. in general, utilizing ready-made and bio-degradable materials brings out my most creative side. It also helped me to stop and think about the kind of elitist and euro-centric forms of producing art that, for a long time, I thought were the only ones acceptable. Another achievement with bioplastics has been reducing significantly my interactions with synthetic materials. This choice, which has become an act of resistance, aligns with a broader narrative in my work and helps me reevaluate why I do what I do.

Just to put it more in perspective, there is a project I started with my sister’s help, which required us to go through the, waste, rubbish, trash, etc of beauty retailers (Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Sally Beauty, etc.) Going through the garbage bins and digging into the trash bags in the middle of the night with my sister helped me construct a project around concepts like consumer feminism, systems restoration, decarbonization as decolonization, and regeneration. If I hadn’t gone into direct contact with that trash I would have never thought of starting that project at all, and the same with many of the projects I feel the most proud. Of course, there are other things that inspire me besides the materials I use, like my identity as a Latin woman, Hispanic literature, songs, poems, and the creatives around me.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I look back at the foundations that have brought me to pursue a career in arts and education, I realize that I was fortunate to have teachers who got to know me deeply, who got to believe in my potential as an artist, in my community, and the equal opportunities we all deserve. One of the hardest things I had to do besides sacrificing time with my loved ones and with myself its been to undergo a process of self-examination, unveiling my faults and strengths, and reflecting on my political ideas and beliefs, biases, and unearned privileges. This process of self-discovery was my biggest lesson; more than a responsibility, it was a necessity. It was only then that as a woman. as an artist, caregiver, or teacher, I was able to understand my position and to understand each individual around me, to be closer to their unique experiences, backgrounds, and needs. This is when I learned that being in a leadership role, whether as a student or as a professional is much more than just depositing knowledge, delegating or multitasking it is about working from the heart, about putting people first and paper second, about understanding each child, each classmate and coworker for who they are, and only by undergoing this transformation is it possible – and fun – to work this hard. To do the unexpected, beautiful things that are needed to help other develop their own special talents and gifts. What do I want the world to know? I want the world to know that Investing in the resilient hope of children and young creatives is worth it and that care is the key and it is the most effective and authentic way in which high-quality learning can happen. A kind of care that goes beyond and above expectations of knowledge absorption, care is what can really bring passion, creativity, and love to every classroom/space one enters.

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.
As someone who loves gallery hopping and has only had a little exposure to prestigious institutions before coming to NYC, I can confidently say that I would start by going to the galleries in Chelsea, the MET, or the Whitney Museum. All of these are great places with a lot to offer for me. When my mom and sister visit me, I love taking them to the galleries, especially because it can feel less overwhelming and intimidating than the prominent touristy museums. I also find that gallery hopping gives more room to take breaks, grab a bite at Chelsea Market, stroll along the High Line, or appreciate contemporary art without big crowds. Besides that, a bike or scooter ride around Central Park is very serene, making exploring different landmarks accessible across long distances. I may leave the physically exhaustive activity for kayaking at The Loeb Boathouse, then spend the afternoon at the Metropolitan Museum of Art or Cooper Hewitt and finish the day with burgers from Shake Shack. I would leave for the last day a ride on the NYC Ferry Ride from 86th down to Wall Street, it’s chill, great for enjoying the skyline views. However, I always like to add at least one trip outside of the city, and for this, my #1 choice would be Dia Beacon. This space is so memorable for me because of its monumentality and how the art frames the industrial building that once was a cookie factory. Being in the same room as the sculptures of artists like Louise Bourgeois, John Chamberlain, and Richard Serra is so mind-blowing. Other remarkable aspects of Dia are its outdoor spaces; I also like how isolated it is, as it is far away from the city. Dia is one of my favorite museums so far.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank my Abuela, my mom, and my sister, who taught me that in a gendered world, ears are not open to listening to that woman or to that little girl. I thank them for always teaching me to be the owner of my potential and for always reminding me that I am loved much more than I can imagine! I would also like to thank the girls of the Women Supporting Women Club for teaching me that leadership can blossom in any circumstance, but that it has to be recognized, supported, and encouraged. To Violeta Maffei, Crystal Bao, Irene Yang and all the club leaders, who were there from the very beginning, willing to work hard on behalf of change, wanting to be inspired, led, and let go to work their dreams! I would also like to thank my instructors at SVA, starting with Kayla Gibbons, for teaching me that I am not studying to become an artist; rather I am an artist studying. To all my freshman-year teachers, Leigh Behnke, Taney Roniger, and Nils Karsten, for always setting high expectations and teaching me how to reach them. I thank Tom, Paloma, and Peter for showing me that teachers are so instrumental in problem-solving and for making The Visual and Critical Studies Department my second home and a place for students to build their DNA, to find themselves first, and then build something on top of that. Last but not least, I would like to thank the children of Casita Maria, who opened my eyes to the education crisis and the education opportunities we have right now. Who taught me that as a teacher I always have to figure it out how to make it happen, and for showering my mornings with drawings and tender hugs. Thank you for teaching me the most effective and authentic way in which high-quality teaching can happen and for inspiring me to unlock a new dream, which is to become a future educator.

Website: https://ltrujillosalazar.wixsite.com/sva-women-supporting

Instagram: @lauratrujillosalazarstudio

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-trujillo-salazar-1700061a3/

Image Credits
Inna Svyatsky