Cristina Victor: COMMUNITY
2021 Artist-in-Residence at Montana Museum of Art and Culture
How was your experience as an Open AIR Artist-in-Residence?
The flexibility of the residency allows for immediate opportunities to connect with Montana. Open Air supported me in leading a public art project with youth participants, mostly outdoors and in the middle of a pandemic. It expanded my community, gave me space to make the residency my own, and was very responsive to the changing needs of my project.
What was your research process during this time?
Because I came to the residency with a public project framework that is designed for community engagement and expressive visibility, the research was very centered on having absorbing conversations, listening and being present. I was so grateful the awesome kids we got to work with were so willing and open to do this project. The support I had allowed me time outside of the project to just take things in, absorb the landscape, and its rich Native history. I left realizing there was much more I could know about the Native histories of this country.
What are you up to now (post Open AIR)?
I moved to Charleston, South Carolina, so I've been adjusting to the south and seeking to teach and be more involved in this community. I am also lining up virtual talks with organizations and colleges, making ceramics and juggling gigs in between.
What led you to work 2D/3D?
The idea usually dictates what medium I use but I do have to admit, for the last 2 years I've been making a lot of ceramic sculpture and functional ware. It started off as a way to send people I cared about custom functional pieces that they can use in their everyday life. I press textiles into the clay slabs to give the effect of fabric so texture and tactility is really considered. It is all definitely influenced by deco architecture and leans to camp, like my hometown, Miami. It was and still is a way to physically work through the uncertainty that reality has become due to the pandemic and a great way to make my work accessible.
Any new projects in the works?
I am making ceramics at Studio Union of which I will be exhibiting with for a group exhibition at REDUX Contemporary Art Center in February. I am amping up on some volunteer work locally with the James Island Arts and Cultural Center that just recently opened in my neighborhood. I just started working with the SFArtists Alumni group and doing early marinating on a solo show at Ditch Projects in 2023.
See more of Cristina’s work at www.cristinavictor.com