Manuela De la Vega Castro
Printmaking MA
Royal College of Art
Graduates: 2024
Specialisms: Printmaking
My location: Madrid, Spain
Manuela De la Vega Castro
First Name: Manuela
Last Name: De la Vega Castro
University / College: Royal College of Art
Course / Program: Printmaking MA
Graduates: 2024
Specialisms: Printmaking
My Location: Madrid, Spain
Website: Click To See Website
About
As an artist specialising in watercolour monoprints, Manuela is drawn to the unpredictable nature inherent in this technique. It's a dance between intention and chance, where the materials themselves guide the creation process, often revealing unexpected beauty and depth. This particular technique allows the materials to dictate the outcome honouring their organic fluidity.Rooted in her Spanish heritage, her practice is informed by introspection, exploring themes of identity, memory, and cultural heritage. Her fascination with light, materialism, and colour, influenced by the vibrant hues of her homeland, inspire the making of the work with their sense of warmth and vitality. In her practice, she is deeply engaged with the exploration of organic forms and landscapes. Through observation and intuitive mark-making, she seeks to capture the essence of fleeting moments, inviting viewers to delve into their inner landscape
“As an artist specialised in watercolour monoprints inspired by the Spanish landscape, I aim to explore the cultural heritage rooted in the Spanish terrain through abstract expressionism. Each piece is a dialogue between memory, nostalgia, and the dynamic interplay of chance and control inherent in my technique. Drawing inspiration from Helen Frankenthaler's soak and stain method, I have adapted her technique to the medium of watercolour monoprints to experiment with the fluidity and dynamism of this approach that allows the materials to speak for themselves. I begin each piece by sketching my ideas on paper, followed by an intuitive process of pouring and manipulating watercolours on the plate where I embrace an element of chance, letting the pigments flow and merge in different ways , balancing control with spontaneity until I am satisfied with the composition and texture of the image. My research process involves documenting the Spanish landscapes that have shaped my identity. I reference photographs I have taken and memories I have collected over time, seeking to capture the essence of these landscapes. For inspiration, I continually revisit the works of Frankenthaler, whose work I admire because of its ability to convey emotion through abstract forms; I also take inspiration from Fernando Zobel, who’s ability of observation and reinterpretation of landscape results in such delicate compositions that to me, elevate the concept of nature. My aim for the work is to reflect on how the landscape shapes individuals' sense of self, filtered through the lenses of memory and nostalgia. By creating spaces for introspection and interpretation, I want to share my appreciation for the interconnectedness of these ideas. The process of making the works has expanded my understanding of the ways in which our environment influences us. The process of showing the works in different contexts (in London or in Spain) has made me realise that internationally people experience the work in a more “bodily” were as at home the audience relates to land and direction. Through abstract images, I’d like the work to resonate with diverse audiences, inviting them to reflect on their own experiences and connections to the landscape. Conversations around my work often touch on the role of memory in art, the intersection of personal and cultural identity, and the significance of place in shaping our sense of self.
Competitions
