In the Studio w/ Sofia Escobar

September 24, 2024

“A combination of structure and intuition is what has become the basis of my work lately.”

Tell us about your process

My process involves a lot of experimentation with ink on paper using different tools to create unusual patterns and textures. I also like to play around with drafting tools which in most cases ends up determining the layout of a potential illustration. A combination of structure and intuition is what has become the basis of my work lately.

You studied at OCAD for Fiber Arts, how has that influenced your multi-disciplinary art practice?

It has had a huge impact in the way I create now. It’s almost like my illustrations morphed into 3-dimensional objects. What I really enjoyed about being in that program is the focus on material exploration as well as pattern design and print. I discovered that I could use thread as a means to drawing in a physical space and create very intricate sculptures out of simple sketches.

Does your illustrative work inform your sculpture? and vice versa?

Yes, they go hand in hand. A lot of my sculptures are renditions of illustrations I’ve made.

Works in progress hang on the wall of the studio

Sofia leafs through works in progress on her workbench

“I’m naturally drawn to the relationship between shape, texture, perspective and depth when it comes to creating something”

What kind of materials do you most like to use? What's that experimentation like?

I use a combination of drafting tools for technical drawings as well as any object that would make an interesting mark on paper, such as sea sponges, old, dried and hard brushes, knotted yarn, plastic bags.

Much of your work is in black and white, what draws you to this palette?

One of the things I’m naturally drawn to are the relationship between shape, texture, perspective and depth when it comes to creating something so I feel like b&w does a very good job at representing those elements. It also has a great quality of mysticism. Having said that, I do love color and I think it has an amazing potential to emit a huge range of feelings and concepts that you could never achieve with b&w. I’m slowly trying to incorporate more of that in my sculptural work.

Where do you find the most inspiration?

In nature.

Sofia stands at her workbench in her studio.

You completed a residency in Berlin last year, what did you do there?

I worked in collaboration with a good friend of mine who also has a background in textiles. We took drawings and sketches that we did during our stay and transformed them into large scale weaving pieces.

Do you collect art? What do you have in your home?

Yes. I try to buy as much local and emerging talent. I understand the struggle of the first years of making so its nice to be supportive when you can.

What does art mean to you?

I only understood it was a way of life when I realized most of my time is spent wondering about abstract shapes and existential thoughts.

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