The Sculptor of Souls
We had the pleasure and honor of interviewing Antonio Mota in San Fernando (Cádiz), Spain.
The Process and Inspiration
How would you describe your artistic work?
Throughout my life, sculpture and painting have been my natural forms of expression. Sculpture has always been more prominent, perhaps because most of my work has been statuary, both public and private. I identify with a very personal expressionism, which also appears in my painting, although in painting the color is freer and sometimes borders on Fauvism. Everything I do stems from daily work and a dedication I’ve maintained for over forty years.
Do you have any rituals or routines when creating?
Music always accompanies me in the studio. I try not to miss a single day; consistency is an essential part of the process. At the end of each day, I need to spend a few minutes in silence, observing what I’ve created. It’s as if I want the work to tell me something, I don’t know… Personal Challenges and Reflections
What is your greatest fear or frustration as an artist?
I don’t feel fear, but I do feel a certain sadness when I think about projects that didn’t come to fruition for reasons unrelated to the work itself: procedures, political decisions, bureaucracy. It’s something that has happened more than once and leaves a feeling of frustration at leaving the work unfinished.
What surprises you about your own work or art in general?
I’m surprised by the sheer volume of work that has been produced. Years go by and you’re almost unaware of having created it, but as time passes, something curious happens: I begin to feel that they are no longer mine. There are sculptures and urban monuments that, when I see them again, I perceive as if someone else had made them. It’s as if the work has detached itself from me, as if it’s following its own path.
What advice would you give to your younger self starting out in art?
I would tell them that creating for yourself is much more honest and rewarding than doing it only on commission. And I would also remind them of something essential: art isn’t everything. There’s life outside the studio, and that life is necessary to be able to continue creating.
What is your greatest source of inspiration (images, sounds, sensations)?
Inspiration doesn’t come from a single source. Visiting exhibitions helps me understand the artistic moment around me, but what truly awakens my need to create is reading and traveling. Music, books, and travel are essential for me. Without them, creation would be more complicated.