Meet Mariana Con | Sculptor & Ceramist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mariana Con and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mariana, what inspires you?
I believe there’s no mundanity in the world. I find joy in life by paying attention to natural phenomena around the universe, by seeking with curiosity to unveil the hidden magic in its processes and physicochemical properties. Most of my work is done in this way, by looking at nature (including humans) as if it was from another planet, and presenting it as new and bright as it deserves, with the aim to spark more understanding, connection, and empathy in this planet.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Before becoming a sculptor, I graduated in 2015 as an Industrial Designer. Although part of me didn’t really wanted to choose this career, since I knew my heart was within the arts, I graduated with honors and met and worked with so many great designers that I don’t regret any of it. I still have a design practice specializing in Product design, and when working on my personal artwork, I use the tools and methodologies this career taught me. Treating my art practice as it was any other job where you have to wake up at 6 am and smash it until at least 6 pm, is one of the main reasons I have to thank for the stepping stones I have overcome until now. To be organized is the lesson life has taught me that allows myself to get wherever I want to go, so I make a year plan with objectives for both my design and art practice, brake it down to months, then to weeks, and then to days; it may sound a bit extreme! But I swear it gives you peace of mind to be sure you’re working towards your own goals.

I’m most excited now about a product design project I have worked on for the last semester. It was born actually from the frustration I got for several years when I didn’t have the means to become a sculptor in ceramics and I had to squeeze studying whenever I found the chance within jobs, and saving up all that I had to get ceramic materials and experiment to know which combination of clays actually worked for my sculpture purposes… I would like for anyone that has curiosity for this material could start with more and better possibilities, so I’m making a clay brand to make the ceramic world more accesible to designers, artists, curious minds, and future ceramist sculptors. If you are into clay, search for Pura Tierra.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you’re feeling cultural, Start the day at Tacos Villa de Santiago in Garza Sada, order barbacoa or Chile relleno if you’re vegetarian.
At 10 am opens the modern art city museum Marco, I recommend you take an Uber to the center and go as soon as it opens so you can enjoy the exhibitions on your own pace. There is a cool museum shop at the end with some Mexican designers products, and a good restaurant if you get hungry, although I recommend going for a salmon bagel at Café Limón (great coffee and atmosphere) and from there walk to Tec de Monterrey beautiful campus (it has ducks and deers chilling around) and some cool new buildings such as the Reflection space, but be ready to leave at 5:40 so you can be at 6 pm sharp on the James Turrell’s Skyspace across campus, on the Junco de la Vega Street. After that, you could end the day in the city center walking in Santa Lucía canalé; If you do, look for the restaurant bar Belmont/Barbetta, its walking distance and very cosy place, or Botanero Moritas if you want to try some really good northern Mexico’s food and ambience. Order a Carta blanca to have the full experience.

If you’re feeling adventurous,
Monterrey has some of the most beautiful mountains in Mexico, be sure to visit at least one. If you are up to a hike you can go to Chipinque, is a mild hike and you get to see squirrels. If you like rock climbing the Huasteca has infinite spots to do this, but if you’re not in the mood for climbing, just going with the car, or walking among the valley surrounded by this beautiful rocky formations is more than cool, plus they sell amazing “elotes/esquites” there (soft cooked white corn) with salsa, so look for them if you go. This two are the most accesible paths to hiking within the city limits, if you do want full adventure, I recommend searching for blogs in advance, there are lots of experimented people which gives tours.

If you come to the city, I hope you have a really nice time 🙂
and if you’re into ceramics, design, or art, feel free to contact me and I would gladly give you a studio tour or give you some other tips if anything interesting is happening in the city. Cheers!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m very fortunate to have studied ceramics with Gerardo Azcúnaga and Mauricio Guajardo, here in Monterrey, México. Thanks to them I have found myself dedicating full time to ceramics from my studio Casa Celeste, and being able to work with other amazing artists such as Violeta Hernández -Artist and illustrator-, and Diego Garza -Algo Studio’s founder-.

Website: www.casaceleste.mx

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariananacon/

Image Credits
Mariana Con in her studio, by curator Matías Bahena. “In close proximity: Mariana Con” Exhibition, by Heart Ego gallery. “Cambio de cuerpo IV” in pink background, by Mariana Con. “Biomimetical wishes” in white backgound, by Nydia Lilian.