CM
“Be consistent. Learn how other people work and be a team—everything is teamwork.”
An Illustrated World
interview + photos Jorge Perezchica
Artist/illustrator Sofia Enriquez (22) was born in Indio, California, and raised in the Coachella Valley. Sofia recently graduated from Otis Parsons in May 2014 and returned to the valley after struggling to find work in Los Angeles. Since then, her art career has taken a sharp turn for the better—displaying work at the CoachellaI Valley Art Scene and the Marks Art Center at the College of the Desert. But the journey has not been an easy one.
I was first drawn towards Sofia’s art when I attended the opening reception for a show titled “Swap. Some. Spit.” at the Coachella Valley Art Scene gallery this past summer. Sofia’s expressive mural covered 60 ft of the gallery space wall, which was illustrated in black and white paint—teeming with paisley motifs, tear drops, porcelain-doll faces, squiggly lines, a skull-faced cupid, peculiar words and numbers and more. It was as if a daydream had been painted onto the walls and I felt my mind swirling away and falling into this world— this curious narrative Sofia Enriquez had created. I sensed both feminine and masculine sensibilities intertwined in her work and grew even more curious the closer I scanned the wall from one end to the other.
About 2 months after the show, I sat down to chat with Sofia Enriquez in Cathedral City, where she tells me that in high school she did not excel in much except art—all the while, I found that hard to believe—because in person, Sofia leaves an indelible impression as someone smart, independent, beautiful and talented—and capable of so much more.
The Coachella Magazine Interview:
Has anything changed in the Coachella Valley since graduating from college and returning?
Sofia Enriquez: It’s exactly the same.
What do you feel is needed in the Coachella Valley?
As far as art goes, I don’t feel there is enough art programs. Just because we’re a desert, people think it’s empty—but it’s not.
The mural at the Coachella Valley Art Scene gallery—how many days did it take to paint?
I spent three days working on the mural. Two walls. First day, I did the small wall. I spent 6 hours just thinking about it—I had no idea what I was going to do. I brought my favorite books: Communication Arts magazines, 19th Century Fashion book, Paisley Design book and Google searched images—I really like old photographs. I looked back at a lot of old stuff I already did. It just came out randomly.
Is there any hidden messages or meaning?
There’s a lot of hidden shit in there.
I notice a lot of paisley design in your work—what about the paisley motif inspires you?
SE: It appeals to a lot of cultures: Indian, Mexican and American.
Do you know where the paisley motif originated?
I read in a book that the shape originated when cavemen started tracing the shape of their hand on the wall.
What went through your mind while you painted the mural?
I listen to music while I’m painting. It puts me in the mood. I was going through a really hard time. I just graduated from school and had to think, “What am I going to do with my life?” And…on the second day, I cut my hair off—getting rid of tension. I was just going through a lot of shit with my family, my friends. I was poor—I had no money.
Did you work or receive any scholarships while attending college?
A scholarship from the La Quinta Arts festival and Fashion International. I worked small jobs. I lived in my car. My senior year, I was living in a garage and I didn’t like it. So, if I stayed late at school, I would just nap in my car.
Do you feel art is a cathartic experience?
Anything creative is therapeutic.
How old were you when you first got into art?
Thirteen years old. I started painting in the 7th grade. In high school, I was bad at everything except for art. Even if I knew it wasn’t the best in the world, they were like—this is great.
Who is the biggest art supporter in your life?
My older sister.
Who are some artists that have inspired you?
Muchá, Frida Kahlo, Jason Pollock.
What would you like to see in the Coachella Valley 5-10 years from now?
I want to see the whole city painted. All the buildings are really boring. It’s almost like, they’re looking for an easy way out to put something up. I want to change how people see street art or art in general. I want to paint more murals. If I paint something small, I feel not enough people are going to see it.
What about mass producing your art?
If it’s massed produced, it’s not art—it’s commercial. There’s a lot of commercial art out there—they don’t need anther one.
Was this the first mural you painted?
It’s the biggest mural I painted so far. Making a bigger statement—my whole body is moving. It was the funnest, craziest, meanest experience I had.
How late did you stay up painting the mural at the CVAS gallery?
Till 2 or 3am in the morning. Being up that late in downtown Cathedral City changes your whole freaking perspective how you see the city. There were a lot of people—homeless, walking around. And the City Hall is just across the street! I was scared just to go out to my car. One night, some random guy walked in—who was obviously fucked up. It was scary. He asked, “Where are the owners?” I said “They’re in Mexico.” The door was open because my boyfriend walked out to smoke a cigarette.
And he [the homeless guy peeps inside] was like, “Hmm… this is nice.”
What prompted you to come back to the Coachella Valley?
I liked L.A. When I came back here, I was so anxious. I was so used to driving fast. [Here] it’s way slower—nobody’s in a rush. I couldn’t find a job in L.A. I don’t feel there are any place for my generation to go to and make art. Either your a graphic designer or you’re going to make signs at Trader Joe’s.
How did you get your artwork into the CVAS gallery?
I met Sarah [Scheideman— founder and executive director of The Coachella Valley Art Scene] at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. I asked her if she needed anyone to paint murals. And she said, “Yeah, Totally.” I came over to the gallery, brought all my stuff and threw it on the floor and said,—“This is me.”
After the show, what did you learn the most from the whole process?
Be consistent. Learn how other people work and be a team—everything is teamwork.
What inspires you?
Old photos and fashion. There can’t be music without fashion and there can’t be fashion without music—it’s what makes culture. I like decorative stuff. I like to do things that people haven’t seen before. I don’t like labels because it’s too limiting.
Are your parents supportive of your art?
They’re supportive but they don’t understand what’s going on.
What advice do you have for young emerging artists?
SE: Whatever people want to do as long as it’s what you enjoy doing. Just do it.
What are you planing to do next?
Bill [Schinsky—Founder/Executive Director] offered me a job sometime in the fall to teach art classes at the Coachella Valley Art Center—anybody who wants to show up. It’s a physical space that people who are pissed-off can make anything they want.
(Hypothetical question) If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be?
SE: This is going to sound so cliché but…Andy Warhol.
ARTIST: SOFIA ENRIQUEZ
HOMETOWN: CATHEDRAL CITY, CA
WEB: SOFIAENRIQUEZ.COM