Josefina Rodriguez varela

I find myself constantly breaking free from the traditional norms that I grew up with. My work is not just a form of self-expression; it is a profound exploration of my own definition of womanhood and a celebration of unconventional practices and power relations.

Traditionally, society has placed women within a narrow spectrum of expectations, dictating how we should behave, look, and exist. These imposed norms have often suffocated the true essence of womanhood, rendering it one-dimensional and restrictive. My art serves as a vehicle for liberation, to redefine and rediscover what it means to be a woman. I use ceramics and drawing to create narratives with a particular focus on figurative work.

My work questions the roles of men and women as presented in our current society. I consider my work and my life’s choices to be a response to the male oppression I grew up with in Latin America, and an invitation to understand and embrace the erotic as part of our humanity, an essential and natural aspect of our lives. I am determined to showcase the strength, resilience, and beauty that lie in the unconventional, the unapologetic, and the rebellious aspects of womanhood.

Curriculum Vitae
of
Josefina Rodriguez

 Email: josefinarvarela@gmail.com

Education 

2021 BFA Ceramics, Alberta University of the Arts, Calgary, Alberta 

2013 Surface Land Administration Certificate, Mount Royal University, Calgary

Awards/Scholarships 

2021 Monika Smith Ceramics Scholarship

2020 Jason Lang Scholarship 

2020 3M Direct Entry Scholarship

2019 Louise McKinney Scholarship for Academic Achievement 

2018 Jason Lang Scholarship 

2017 Jason Lang Scholarship 

Solo Exhibitions 

2020 Strike, Dear Mistress. Marion Nicoll Gallery, Calgary, AB

Exhibitions 

2021 Primal Impacto, SPE West & South West Film Festival

Soft Opening, The Fem Assembly, Calgary, AB

Souls of the Land, Arts Commons, Calgary, AB

Now And Then, Tales of Immigration and Resiliency, Virtual Exhibition

2020 Work Transforms Work. Ceramics Department Annual Show, Calgary, AB

2019 Expo Latino Alberta, Calgary, AB

Raices, Spanic Arts Show, Calgary, AB

Like a Rock, Ceramics Department Annual Show, Calgary, AB

2018 New Works (Group Show), NVRLND, Calgary, AB

2017 8th Annual President’s Student Exhibition, ACAD, Calgary, AB

People’s Portrait Prize, CSpace, Calgary, AB

Draw Til You Drop Art Show, Rumble House,  Calgary, AB

Fibre Miniature Show and Fundraising, ACAD, Calgary, AB

Fibre Department Annual Show, ACAD, Calgary, AB 

Sculpture Department Annual Show, ACAD, Calgary, AB

2016 Golden Ratio Art Group: Emergence, LocalMotive Building, Calgary, AB

Public Installations and Collaborations 

2021 Primal Impacto, Connecting Perspectives, A cross Border Initiative with

Deb Leal

2018 Chicken On The Way Sweater Installation, Calgary, Alberta

(Collaboration with Yilu Xing)

Public Presentations

2021 Primal Impacto Panel Discussion, Connecting Perspectives

Feminist Art, DesayunArte: Artist talks (SpanicArts)

2020 Ceramics, sex and female empowerment, Clay Voices Online Seminar 

Publications

2021 All The Feels, The Fem Assembly Zine Vol.1

2020 ESKER Foundation ‘In Common’ Series

2018 NoD Magazine 

2018 Global News coverage of Chicken on the Way Sweater

Languages (fluent)

Spanish 

English

Volunteer

2021 SpanicArts Board Member  (2019-2021)

2018 ACADSA Show & Sale 

2018 ACADSA Student Group Selection Jury

2017 ACADSA Student Group Selection Jury 

Professional Organizations 

SpanicArts: Hispanic Association of Professional Artists

National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) 

Alberta Craft Council (Membership)