Frieze Masters ‘Studio’: Lucia Laguna
The painter speaks about her studio in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and how its shape informs the nature of her work
The painter speaks about her studio in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and how its shape informs the nature of her work
Lucia Laguna: This is the only studio I’ve ever had. When I first became interested in painting at the age of 54, I enrolled in art classes at Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Lage. I remained at the school for about six years, participating in talks, debates, and visual and practical experiences in modern and contemporary art. That was over 25 years ago and I’ve had this studio ever since. It’s 48 metres square and sits on the third floor of my house on Rua Nazário, in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro. Through the wide windows I can see part of Rio’s Zona Norte [North Zone], where the densely urban – like the train track and the Mangueira favela community – tangles with the hilly geography and vegetation. This landscape is very important to me. The surroundings change when a neighbour cuts down a tree, for example, but the garden is always my garden, always growing. It’s a very intimate place, where I work every day, very close to what I paint. My studio is my reference point for life, the place where I amplify my thinking about life and making in painting. Things change, nothing is forever.
My studio is small, long and narrow. It induces compression, economy of means and simplicity. Consequently, the paintings benefit from these characteristics, and I adopt forms that are expressed through equally economical, succinct collages of elements that adjust well to the spaces I create. I like to paint with lots of light, so mornings are always best. In the early hours, I organize for work. I choose garden photos and views that interest me from the window. I look for references in books for works in progress, and I paint. In the afternoon, when my assistants come in, we have a conversation about what should be done to begin a piece or to move others along. Visitors, friends and artists are always welcome at appointed times. I like to talk to other artists and those interested in art.
My studio is my reference point for life, the place where I amplify my thinking
My relationship with my studio has become increasingly affectionate. There are lots of objects that serve as starting points for my work process, such as scrap metal, like old garden gates, and items collected in secondhand stores. There is one object in my studio that is particularly symbolic and seems to bring a historical weight with it: a pair of old shoe trees. The form is beautiful, made in solid wood, expertly wrought and crafted. I found it in a secondhand store and I’ve had it for years.
As told to Livia Russell.
Further Information
Frieze Masters and Frieze London take place concurrently from 11-15 October 2023 in The Regent’s Park, London. Studio is on view at Frieze Masters for the duration of the fair.
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