El Regreso del Guerrero, 2021

Mayra AleJandra Lifischtz  

Artist Statement:

I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1969, and it remains my current place of residence. I grew up in a middle-class family where my father worked in his company, and my mother, an artist, took care of my upbringing and my siblings.

My journey into painting began at a very young age. In my free time, painting became a source of joy and entertainment, a practice that I immersed myself in for long hours, relishing the act of creating.

Upon completing high school, I hesitated to pursue formal studies at the National School of Fine Arts due to lukewarm family support. An amusing anecdote from that time involves me spending a year studying graphic design based on my father's advice, who believed it was a more lucrative path than art. However, upon presenting my technical works, a teacher remarked that my drawings were more artistic than suitable for graphic design. The next day, I enrolled in the National School of Fine Arts, following my convictions.

After completing my training as a National Painter at the School of Fine Arts, I continued my studies with numerous prestigious art masters in Argentina. For me, art is an everyday action, akin to breathing. Artistic practice has become a vital aspect of my life—a craft learned over time that transforms into a daily necessity. Even when not painting all day, the creative process persists.

I would say that I live for art, and when one of my works is sold, it expands my horizons and perspectives of creation.

I don't consciously have a source of inspiration. The act of creating on the pictorial surface determines the genesis and conclusion of my work. The work itself comes into being independently of us, unfolding in its own time beyond our needs and deliberate gestures.

While I feel an affinity with certain practices of abstract expressionism, I discover that the results in that style differ. I prefer my work not to be constrained by the mandates of a specific painting aesthetic or a prescriptive title.

Regarding my creative habits, my inclination is to solve the riddle that each work demands, investing time and patience for it to manifest. I resonate with Cézanne's concept of going through a period of "catastrophe" during the creative process for the work to truly emerge.

Currently, my work follows the rules of pictorial bidimensionality. If there is another dimension to it, it is provided by the spectators.

Education:

I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1969. I graduated from the "National School of Prilidian Fine Arts Pueyrredon" in that city in 1993, earning the title of National Teacher of painting and engraving. I furthered my studies in workshops and clinics with internationally acclaimed masters such as Hector Medici, Maria Luisa Manasero, Felipe Noe, Eduardo Medici, Juan Doffo, and Ernesto Pesce. I have participated in numerous individual and collective exhibitions.

Awards & Distinctions:

Selection of work in the National Salon of Arts Visual, Palais de Glace.

Prize in Salon Dante Alighieri.

2nd prize in "Braque Gallery."

Mention in Sivori Museum.

Mention in Manuel Plastic Arts Salon. Belgrano.

Mention in the annual Salon Artists of San Sebastian isidro.

Exhibitions:

Colectiva Pueblo Garzon (2016).

Palais de Glace, colectiva (2015).

Muestra individual Hotel Melia BS.AS (2014).

Centro cultural Borges.

Fundacion Patagonia Arte y desafio.

Arte Espacio, muestra colectiva (2014).

Galeria Garzon, Uruguay (2014).

Paseo punta Carretas, Uruguay (m.individual).

Muestra colectiva en Embajada Alemania.

EGGO Centro cultural recoleta (2012).

Museo de Bellas Artes de Mar del Plata (2010).

Asociacion de Artistas plásticos de Bahia Blanca, muestra individual (2010).

Fontenlla Mall, muestra colectiva 2009.

Palermo Soho, muestra individual (2008).

Gallery Night, colectiva (2007).

Arte BA, Espacio ODA (2005).

Muestra de objetos Museo Malba (2002).

Artistic Influences:

My mother and my entire family are artists.