euskalkultura.eus

Rubila Araya/Valparaiso, Chile.  Four months from the end of her experience studying abroad – without her family but in the good company of her boyfriend, Oier, who left everything to go on this adventure with her – Sandra has strengthened ties with the Basque club, even more so now that she has translated her talent on one of the front walls with the work entitled, ‘Euskal tradizioak-Basque Traditions,” where she gathers “different trades, sports and celebrations that our ancestors carried out in their lives, so that in one way or another, they are part of ours whenever you visit the euskoetxea.”

And in the words of the artist, “when I arrived at the EuskoEtxea in Valparaiso I felt clothed and each time I visit I feel that special warmth, warmth fed by the memories and feelings of all of the people who are now part of, or who have been part of this entity. I know that some who came never returned and that some of the descendants didn’t have the opportunity to know Euskadi.  But those, in particular, and for everyone in general, I would like to reflect in this mural a little of my country, of their country, a little of our country, Euskal Herria.”

At the Young age of 21 years old, Sandra Estarrona has participated in divers artistic projects among which is the Picturesque Intervention Muraliae Itinerario Muralistico in Vitoria-Gasteiz (2009 and 2010).  If you would like to see osme of her work visit: www.sandraestarrona.blogspot.com

-Where are you from in the Basque Country?

I am from Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Government, I have always lived there with my family and I studied there from a Young age, and in this latest step where I started university I have had to travel to Bilbao every day.  But I have been in Vitoria-Gasteiz my whole life, it is my favorite city.

-When did you encounter art?

I don’t even remember because I was little.  I have always participated in contests in school, drawing, and painting.  And so you win prizes and later you participate in national contests and so it goes.  I also went to academies of drawing and painting.  There were things that I learned as a child that were reinforced at university.

-And when did you start doing murals?

The first mural that i did was on a street in Vitoria-Gasteiz, on the front of a closed business.  Through a contest that you had to submit a sketch of what you would paint on a business.  There were like 15 painted throughout the city.

-And you much have enjoyed it…

Yes, I had never done a mural.  Imagine going from a piece of paper to a wall measuring 2 meters tall.

-Do the proportions make it more complicated?

Look, I have never used models; I have always used my eye.  Freehand works better than measurements.

-And you want to further develop in this area, or are  you also intending to experiment with other artistic expression?

When I started at the university all the possibilities of what I could do with my hands were made available to me, including painting, sculpture, video, so I want to continue exploring.

-How did you get to come to Chile?

Through my university’s Exchange program.  In the department of Fine Arts there were spots to come to cities in Chile and so I chose Viña del Mar, and I am at the Art Institute at the Catholic University in Valparaiso that is in Miraflores.

-Where there other options?

There was Brazil and Argentina but I chose Chile.  I also could have gone to Santiago, but I don’t like big cities much, I prefer smaller places where I can get around easier and get to know it better

-Before coming to Chile, did you have any link to this country?

No, I had family that had been in Argentina and Uruguay, but not in Chile.  I didn’t know much about the country either, plus, in Spain you hardly ever meet immigrants, or tourists from Chile.  I had little information about Chile, and that is why I decided to come…to the unknown.

-And were you able to find the equivalent of your studies?

When I got to the university I was allowed to choose whatever classes I wanted.  Nevertheless, I chose all art courses, even though I realized that they have different focuses, and are more related to theory and history.

-How did you arrive at the Basque club in Valparaiso?

I got in touch with them before coming.  We came after being here for a few days and were very well received.  We organized an event where all Basques who had been exchange students here in Valparaiso got together.

-Are there many Basque exchange students here?

Yes, I know students from different universities, and not only students but also people who came to work.

-Do you get together periodically at the Basque club?

Yes, we’ve had several get-togethers: at one Oier cooked typical dishes, there were txistularis, and we also danced.  And that is how I have met more Basques, some contacts were made by word of mouth at the Basque club.

-Tell us about your mural at the Basque club

The first thing that i said when i saw that blank wall was “It can’t be!” It was ideal to do a panoramic, then talking with Archilbaldo (Uriarte, club president) about ways to liven up the clubhouse, to get more out of their spaces and to attract people and decorate its façade, and so the idea for a mural emerged.  It was Archibaldo’s idea, perfect!  I was thrilled immediately.

-And so you developed the idea…

Yes, Basque traditions, which also responds to my desire to do something related to my environment there, since i have been here eight months and am homesick.  Here I feel comfortable, but I still miss it.

-How do you define the kind of mural that you did?

It is also inspired by traditional Basque painting and the customs from there, there are many works that translate life in the countryside and its characters.  It is called “Euskaltradizioak-Basque Traditions,” a clear title that represents the mural.  A part of me that is left here.

-That is the beauty of a mural; it allows you to translate your art onto a physical space.

And not only my art, I think, because at the end where you do it, the people you talk to develop it day to day when you paint they are also part of the process and the result.

-You are going to Argentina this week, tell us about that…

We are going to Cosquin, in Cordoba, to participate in an International Meeting of Muralists, for eight days, organized by the ItaloGrassi collective.

-How did you get to participate in this event?

In Vitoria-Gasteiz i worked on moralistic projects that were done in the city by volunteers, artists and youth in general.  I met many people there and a colleague talked to me about attending prior editions, and so I got interested, and contacted the organizers who invited me.

-When you finish your Exchange, will you go back to finish your degree and,  after that what are your plans?

Instead of an end, i see it as a continuation.  I want to continue to discover other people and take up new studies, but also work on projects like the one I did at the Eusko Etxea of Valparaiso, that enriches my knowledge.