Artist Interviews 

AGRIDULCE | JEZABETH ROCA GONZALEZ

February 22nd - April 2nd, 2023

Pronouns

they/them/le/elle

What are you currently reading, listening to or looking at to fuel your work?
reading: The Hours Have Lost Their Clock; The Politics of Nostalgia. By Grafton Tanner. Listening to Bad Bunny: Un Verano Sin Ti.  I loved the film everything everywhere all at once and probably cry every time I think about the rock scene.

What are your biggest challenges to creating art and how do you deal with them? How do you navigate the art world?
I honestly don't really know how to navigate the art world and at any time I thought I had an understanding about the art world I was wrong. There are so many negotiations. It's so exhausting. There are also many challenges to experience as a maker and depending on what I am working on these vary, some are very intimate and personal and others deal with navigating different systems.

What mediums do you work with? How would you describe your subject matter?
Mostly I am a multimedia visual artist which includes Video and Photography, but I work with so many materials. I prefer to work with materials that remind me of people, moments and places. I love working with soil and I love working with plants. I love the orange clay soil from Puerto Rico, the smell, texture and feel. I also love working around my elders, I learn so much just from being around them. I would maybe describe the subject matter in my work as intimate, banal and many other structures beyond my control.

When people ask you what you “do”, how do you answer?
I research, edit and investigate. I am an unofficial archivist.

Describe a childhood memory that has influenced your artwork:
Many memories come to mind, but not as a singular. For example a specific space and everything associated with the space, textures, smells, sounds etc. Making all types of memory associations really carry and aid my practice. I think this is why there are so many things that happen in space and through the multiplicity of storylines. 

Has there been a shift or change in your life or work that has led to what you’re making now? Do you see your work as autobiographical at all?
My work has always been autobiographical, but I think lately my form of "productivity" has completely changed (I'm not sure if I should describe it as that). I used to make a lot of work all the time, many projects at once and I think that was messy. Messy for my, my work, the people who help me, just overly messy. And now I take my time, I'm not in any rush, I want to spend as much time as possible with my work.

Do you intend for your work to challenge the viewer? If yes, how? If not, what themes or topics do you find your audience contemplates while viewing your work?

I intend for my work to embed and connect with the viewer, In whatever way possible. I think there are many pockets for that possibility. Sometimes my work can be confrontational and I see that as a way to challenge viewers, but maybe it's tender at times  and that can also serve as a form of challenge.

What is your own personal message you hope to convey through your artwork and how does that connect to a communal and universal message?

hmmmmmm... There are collective, personal, cultural and so many things happening, I think maybe I hope to be attentive to one thing and how exploring that can lead to a multiplicity of things. It's hard to convey a single message when my attention spans are all over the place and I find myself speculating about absolutely everything.

Do you find that your creative impulse is driven by a personal need to ease pain and/or satiate desire? Explain.

I think through making work I learn more about others, myself, the land, and so much more. I would say making is connected to learning for me. If anything is pushing me to continue working, making work is the possibility to collaborate with family. One of my favorite parts of this practice is to see what comes up, what happens and how things are molded through the personalities and actions of family.

What three things never fail to bring you pleasure or joy?

My ‘niblings” (nephews and niece), Caribbean food

What is your motto?

Defender el Placer (Defend Pleasure) I learned this through a friend Sofia Gallisa and honestly its something that has helped me through the post grad school/pandemic/everything and all that comes with life.

What is your personal connection to your artwork?

there is just so much, lol.  I am deeply invested in the visual recording of the generational differences between family, they're dynamics, changing landscapes and care.

What do you hope to gain from your art? What are your goals or expectations surrounding personal growth as a person who uses art as a form of expression?

I hope I can continue making work that allows for the connection I have with people so close to me, I want to continue building on the imaginaries we collectively can visualize from our collaborations.

How did the pandemic effect and affect your practice ?

the pandemic just hit life, I think at the time I was ready to attend a residency in Berlin and was so hopeful for art and opportunities, And of course this time was just filled (still lingering) with worries, over family members and everything all around. It was a time packed with so many things happening and I didn't really have time to think or make work. I couldn't focus, plan or do much really.

List three principles that keep you accountable in the art world? 

Be genuine, make work that you care about and take care of yourself.

Describe the community you belong to and how your community keeps you grounded in social change?  

I am blessed to have many who love me, my communities aren't always close but the ties between them are very strong <3

Describe the art environment or culture in which you are most creative and liberated?

My most creative times are when I work in Añasco and editing all alone.The environments shift from the most intense and stimulating to nothing happening at all. But I've been working many jobs so I only get very little time in these spaces. I think I can prosper.

What is your native language?

Spanish, but the Caribbean/Puerto Rico Jerga (slang) jaja. Since living in CA I am reminded by many that my Spanish sounds different and it makes me miss the Boricua dialect.

What role does an artist have in your culture? 

I think in general and everywhere there's a waterfall of expectations for artists and I don't know that any artist can meet everyone's expectations.