September 29, 2023 • 21 mins
Prepare to be inspired as we share an enlightening conversation with Coney Maderyaga, a uniquely talented artist and 2023 fellow from the Delaware Division of the Arts. Discover how her roots in Santiago, Chile and her passion for Frida Kahlo have shaped her artistic journey. Alongside her, we unravel the fascinating crossroads where her background in behavioral sciences meets her creative endeavors. As a dedicated teaching artist, Coney is passionate about uplifting her fellow artists within the Delaware group, and she couldn't be more excited to give us a sneak peek into her upcoming exhibition, "Extranjera/Extranjero".
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.
Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Andy Truscott (00:09):
For Delaware State of the Arts, I'm Andy
Truscott.
My guest today is ConeyMaderyaga.
Born in Santiago, Chile, shehas been in love with art since
she was a young child.
The need to create constantlyruns through her body and all of
her pieces have been created bythis feeling that takes her
over and needs to be propelledinto some kind of canvas.
Coney is a 2023 individualartist fellow from the Delaware
(00:33):
Division of the Arts and wasalso named a 2023 artist in
residency at the DelawareContemporary.
Thank you so much for joiningme today and, as we kick off a
little bit, can you share a bitabout your early memories
growing up and how thoseexperiences continue to
influence you and your artworktoday?
Cony Madariaga (00:50):
Yes, hi, andy, thank you so much for having me.
So when people ask me like howlong I've been, you know, into
art, for I always say forever.
I moved here when I was seven,so I do have a good amount of
memories like growing up.
But I think moving here likeI've always went into art, like
I've always had a sketchbook,I've always wanted to take all
(01:10):
the art classes and it wasalways like my space right.
So I have, like in my workyou'll see a lot of like
nostalgic stuff, like my familyin Chile, my grandparents, so I
you know what I mean.
Like I try to get pieces frommy background in Chile, but I
moved at such a young age.
Andy Truscott (01:28):
Talk to us a little bit about where you pull
inspiration from for your pieces.
Cony Madariaga (01:32):
So my inspiration varies and I've
always felt like I've had a hardtime answering this question
for a long time when people arelike what kind of art do you do?
And I'm like a little bit ofeverything.
So it varies from portraits,still life.
The portraits can go like Ihave a lot of Frida Kahlo pieces
.
I'm a little obsessed with her.
(01:52):
I've been inspired a lot by theBlack Lives Matter movements,
so those pieces are a little bitmore emotional to me and
they've been done by aninspiration.
But it's also like this feelingof like you want to get that
out.
But I'm literally alwaysinspired.
(02:13):
I might be like drinking coffeesomewhere and I see two people
like sitting there and I'm like,oh wow, what a moment.
So I might try to sketch itreal quick.
Andy Truscott (02:23):
Talk to us a little bit about the elements of
Frida's work that resonate withyou and how that influence can
be seen in your own work.
Cony Madariaga (02:31):
I think her culture and how she referenced
her culture a lot.
I love that.
I think colors in generalthat's the one piece of her work
that you can see in my work butI just love her authenticity,
like the unibrow, the mustache,the not necessarily always
dressing like a typical strongwoman, strong female.
(02:53):
I just love her honest.
Andy Truscott (02:56):
Koni, everyone comes to the arts differently.
Right, you have an educationalbackground in behavioral
sciences, but you've always kindof been drawn to art.
How do you see the connectionbetween your artistic expression
and then kind of the backgroundthat you have in behavioral
sciences?
Cony Madariaga (03:14):
So funny story.
Well, I feel like growing up asmuch as I loved art, like in
high school, like I took, Ithink by my senior year, I was
taking like four different artclasses and at one point my
teacher wanted to push for me togo to art school and I was like
at that moment in my life Ididn't know that that was an
option, that I could actually bea successful artist.
(03:37):
So I was like, let me dosomething where the money is
secure.
So that's how I went intobehavioral science.
I've always also had a need forhelping people.
So I was like, all right, letme get into that.
And I still help people in myeveryday life.
Like I'm just a natural giverkind of person.
But I'm actually no longer likeusing my degree, like the job
(04:00):
that I have now per se, but yeah, I think it just.
I think in my artistic practicethe way that still connects.
Like I said, I'm a giver.
So, like you know, I like tohelp any other artists that I
meet, even artists that are likemore upcoming than me, like
newer to this.
I think I've learned, I'velearned from other artists and I
just love to share.
(04:21):
I don't like to gatekeep, youknow it's a.
I think we have a wonderfulcommunity in Delaware and part
of that is just sharing what weknow.
I told a million people applyfor the fellowship this year.
Andy Truscott (04:32):
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that I you saw
that you know, front and centerat award winners down at the
Biggs.
You know you connecting withand speaking with almost every
individual artist.
That was part of the fellowshipand even kind of the the
uplifting that you you do to allof those that are in the room.
Right, so this isn't justyou're there for yourself, but
you're there to help uplifteveryone, no matter kind of
(04:55):
where they are in their artisticjourney.
Cony Madariaga (04:57):
Yeah, for sure, I feel like, um, I've always
said I'm an artist, regardless.
You know, I'm thankful to Godfor that.
Like I feel like I'm, as longas I can, I'm always going to be
an artist.
And to me, like, when I saythat, I feel like there's all
types of artists, there's peoplewho are so an artist even if
they never showed before, right,so like I'm always an artist.
(05:17):
And then, like this is just asnew to me as it is, you know, to
anyone else who's just started,who wants to like make a career
, who wants there art to be seen.
So I take a lot of like to theheart to be able to like extend
anything I know and ask likekeep on growing.
Andy Truscott (05:31):
You're also not just an artist for artist's sake
, but you are a teaching artistat a few different organizations
around the state.
Talk to us about what you getout of those experiences and
then what you hope the communitygets from your involvement with
those kind of activities.
Cony Madariaga (05:47):
Yeah, I literally get so much joy if I
have to find a word just to beable to, you know, share a
little bit of what I do and givepeople the space to do what
they do and do it their way, but, you know, to be able to have
this place where they alreadyhave the supplies, where they
have someone who can guide thema little bit, um, it's just
always very rewarding and I'vebeen doing it for like a little
(06:10):
over a year now, um, and divinga little bit deeper into it.
I'm hoping that this year I'llhave like a few more residencies
, teaching residencies, um, soI'm excited about that.
But it's always very rewarding.
People's reaction, like rightnow, um, mostly, like constantly
through this year I've beenworking with, uh, los Abuelos,
(06:30):
which is a senior group at LACC,um, and that's through healing,
through the arts, through theDelaware Museum of Art, and it's
just their reaction everysingle time, their willingness
to participate, to take onsomething new.
And then I think the biggest,the biggest reward of that is
just being in community, right,like the conversations that you
(06:52):
get there are amazing.
Andy Truscott (06:54):
The pandemic no doubt brought some challenges
and for some individual artists,that also brought opportunities
.
That you were allowed to have alittle more dedicated studio
time, a little more you time tokind of view the world through a
different lens.
Uh, how do you feel like thatopportunity presented itself to
you and do you feel like yourartistic uh expression or
direction or direction has hasprogressed since the beginning
(07:18):
of 2020?
Cony Madariaga (07:19):
The pandemic was really like a big factor in my
life, as to everyone else, butas far as like taking advantage
of whatever good might come fromthat, for me, it looked like I
was literally making art everyday.
Um, I was painting, drawingevery day.
It was also a time where I'mlike I really want to do this,
like you know.
I mean, I really want todedicate more time to my art, so
(07:41):
that 2020, um is when I left myjob.
I was doing like counseling,like social work, um, and I was
like, whoom, I'm gonna take thisstep.
So I I left my job, I went andgot a job serving, which, at the
time, was more flexible, um,and I could, I could really, you
know, put time into my art.
(08:03):
So it just really opened my, myeyes to be like, okay, this is
what you're doing.
Like it gave me the gift oftime, which was priceless, um,
you know, everything has itspros and cons, you know, and
I've lived by myself at themoment too.
So it was like all right, likelet me just put it all here.
You know, when you were scared,when you were worried, like it
(08:24):
was all left on a canvas, butyeah, I'm thankful for that
because I was able to reallymake that shift in my career,
like, okay, let me findsomething that will allow me to
have time to do this.
Andy Truscott (08:36):
Talk to me about how the Division's individual
artist fellowship has had animpact, just even this year, on
your journey, and how it'sencouraged you or provided
opportunities that maybe youfeel like you might not have had
without it.
Cony Madariaga (08:50):
I was sorry by saying, when I got that email,
that I got it, I literally burstinto tears.
I was like, oh my god, it wasso good.
It was just such a good feeling.
It still is and, you know,aside from like the money part
was so helpful, like I was ableto pay for the studio that I was
set at the time, able to getsupplies.
But then the amount ofopportunities that came from
(09:12):
that, like just networking,meeting new people you know I'll
have my exhibition is still upat the Biggs, I'll have work in
Smyrna because of, you know,people reaching out to me for
the fellowship.
So it's been great all around.
It's been, you know, like greatnetworking, you know, to talk
(09:33):
to people and meet people that Ireally never thought I would
meet.
You know what I mean Like thecurator for the Biggs Museum,
like, and it was also like afeeling of like, oh, like me, me
, like it was so good.
Andy Truscott (09:46):
Looking ahead, you've mentioned producing an
entirely new body of work in2023.
What themes, styles or mediumsdo you hope to explore in this
new kind of creative phase?
Cony Madariaga (09:57):
Yes, so I feel like you know, I say I always
been painting and stuff, andit's true, but I think when I
first, I remember, like in 2019,I had my first exhibition and
like sometime before then, afterthat, just like always painting
not necessarily know what I waspainting, but it just that need
to move the brush and thenthrough the last few years, I
(10:18):
just been able to like make moreintentional decisions, like you
know what I'm going to paint,this, I'm going to paint that
instead of just sitting with ablank, which is also good to do,
but I've, I'm happy that.
I'm happy that I'm now able tolike have an idea my new body of
work that I want to like.
I started to paint images oflike people in togetherness and
(10:40):
you know that's like a broadtopic, but I just wanted to like
show like a mom and a child ora person and a dog, and just be
able to like capture thosemoments, because I'm always in
awe when I see moments like that.
Like that's one of the thingsthat inspire me.
So I just want to be able tocapture those moments that put
me in all and transfer them to acanvas.
So that's one of the thingsthat I want to do.
(11:01):
I also paint really fast forthe most part, so like I can go
from like one thing to another.
Andy Truscott (11:08):
I want to take just a minute here to remind our
listeners that you're tunedinto News Radio 1450 WILM and
1410 WDOV for Delaware State ofthe Arts Koni as we kind of
transition here.
Right, you're opening a showthat you've curated yourself on
September 22nd over at the ChrisWhite Gallery.
Tell us more about the show andwhat patrons can expect to see
(11:29):
when they walk inside the doors.
Cony Madariaga (11:32):
Yes.
So I'm really excited to firstof all put on the curator hat.
I just want to shout out allthe curators out there, it's a
cool, intense but very amazingjob.
The show is called extranjeraextranjero, which means
foreigner.
When I was approached, you know, for the opportunity to do this
show for the month of September, for Hispanic hair decision
(11:54):
march, which I believe startsSeptember 15.
I was super excited.
I was like, okay, so my brainjust went to this feeling that
I've always had no soy de aquÃ,no soy de ya, and a lot of
people who you know, I mean, whohave some kind of connection to
another country, you know, feelthis way and that means I'm not
(12:15):
from here nor from there.
You know, like when I go backhome, I haven't been back home
but say, if I'm around, like mycousins or stuff like that, I'm
like I don't feel Chilean enough, you know.
And then over here, so it'slike, okay, like you know, I am
American, but it's the part thatstill feels like you're
somewhere in between.
So I really wanted toacknowledge that feeling.
(12:36):
And then just everyone'sstories.
Everyone has a story, whetherthey migrated here as a child or
their parents did.
We have about 19 differentartists.
Most of them are Delawarelocals.
There's a few that are from,like, philadelphia, but I'm just
super excited to get everyone'swork and put this story
together.
I've also been able to likemeet some new artists and some
of their stories and I'm likewow, like you know what I mean.
(12:59):
I get to be a little part ofthat, like give you a space to
save this, because a lot ofpeople Vesinate with the I'm not
from here, I'm not from thereand a lot of people have stories
like their immigration storiesare huge.
So I'm I'm really excited aboutthat.
We'll have the art loop October6.
We're gonna have a market day,meaning you can come see the
(13:20):
exhibition and there'll be likeprints and smaller pieces of
work that people can buy.
That's gonna be Saturday,october 21st, and then the
closing reception will beNovember 3rd.
Andy Truscott (13:31):
I'm super excited to to be a part of this for
those listening that might notknow what goes into kind of
curating an art show.
Talk to us a little bit aboutwhat that means and what your
responsibilities are, and kindof bringing the show to life.
Cony Madariaga (13:45):
This is a group exhibition and I wanted to, you
know, give space to as manypeople as I could.
So that's why I have about 19artists and that looked like me
one coming up with the theme,you know what I mean.
And second, okay, reach.
Now it was important for me toreach out to Latino artists, you
know, or anyone who identifieswith that story per se because
(14:07):
of Hispanic Heritage Month.
But reaching out to artists,you know, seeing if there's
something that they already done, that I want to have any
exhibition reviewing all thework that they're submitting.
I asked everyone to submit aboutfive pieces and I'm choosing at
least like two to three fromeach artist.
It just really depends on thesize.
So that's been, you know,that's been fun and just like
(14:29):
looking at everyone's work andthen trying to put it together.
And then there's also like ithas been fun, it has been like,
and I think, because the themeis so close to me that I'm like,
oh, I think I'm made for this,but it's definitely a lot of
work.
And then it's a lot of like,you know, like, admin work that
goes into it, and then justworking with, like, the gallery
itself, you know, like havingyou know, okay, what day is the
(14:52):
artist going to drop off thework, making sure that the work
is ready to be hung, and all ofthat stuff.
So I do want to shout outJayquan Loveroy, because he's
been a hundred percent helpfulwith this as well.
Andy Truscott (15:03):
How do you think this experience has helped you
grow as an individual artist onthe other side of the spectrum?
Cony Madariaga (15:10):
I think in many ways.
One it helps me see likethere's so many more things that
you can do as an artist.
Right, and I mean I've learnedthat with.
I'm not a communication artist,but I'm like I want to take
this and like go to Philly next.
You know what I mean Like Iwould love to take this and make
it travel eventually.
But this experience has beengood, and then it's also good to
like I've done a good amount ofexhibitions now, so I do
(15:33):
understand what, like how I needto present my work to the
gallery.
But it's just understandingfrom the other side.
You know what I mean.
Like send your work on time,like all around.
It just makes you appreciatewhat the curator does.
I think I can do like maybelike two, maybe.
I said I could probably do thistwice a year.
Andy Truscott (15:52):
As you think back right on a younger you, or even
as you, as as you mentor otherartists, they're kind of growing
up through their artistic path.
What's some advice that youmight share with upcoming
artists?
Cony Madariaga (16:05):
My thing is keep dreaming, keep dreaming.
A lot of times, I feel like weare our worst critics, you know,
and we feel like, oh, I'm notthat good, or you know, like me,
I was like I can't make aliving out of.
Selma artwork.
You know, when I was in highschool and I wish that I would
have known, no, like, there's somany ways that you can do this,
you know.
So if there's something that'spulling at you, if there's
(16:27):
something that you truly want todo, I would say do it, you know
, and whatever that looks likefor you, because everyone has
different resources.
So, if it looks like a littlesketchbook at night and just
getting it out that way, cool,you know, like, do it in
whatever way it works for youand eventually you'll be able to
make more space for it.
I think as you start, like,realizing and seeing and
(16:49):
opportunities, opportunitieswill come, but you've got to be
ready for them.
So that's that's my thingtrying to, like, you know, learn
to get ready, and I've found somuch help within the artist
community in Wilmington.
You know, like, I didn't alwaysknow how to do an artist
statement.
You know, I didn't always know,like, how should my website
(17:10):
look?
You know, and I'm very proud ofmy website, but you, there's
other people that've done this,you know what I mean.
So, and most people are 100%willing to say, hey, you know, I
did this, maybe this can helpyou.
Or hey, I use this or I wenthere.
So just reaching out to peopleand honestly just believing in
your dreams and just doing it ifthat's something that you truly
(17:31):
want to do.
Andy Truscott (17:32):
Talk to me about yourself right now, in this
moment.
How do you think you definesuccess for yourself?
Are there any specificmilestones or achievements that
you're looking to accomplish inthe coming years, and what kind
of when you look back makes youmakes you really proud of the
work that you've accomplished sofar?
Cony Madariaga (17:50):
I think you know success, you know it's a
definition to each person, butto me, it's always been the fact
that I get to do this.
You know, like I'm 32 and I getto do this not full time but
almost full time and I just Ifeel lucky to do that, I feel
successful in that, you know,and the fact and then I've
(18:11):
learned to do other things withmy skills, like I can teach,
like that, to me, that wassomething that at one point, I
was was the word I guess alittle insecure about it because
I didn't have the technicalskills from going to an art
school.
So that's something that I'vealways been like.
But can I really do this?
So I'm really proud of myselffor doing this for over a year
(18:33):
and jumping into it way more,and like when into the residency
, that to me was huge.
Like what?
Like I'm an artist, I'm anartist, I'm an artist.
So it's just living.
Literally, I feel like I'mliving my dream and they're only
getting bigger.
So I think right now I'm prettylike this year's super busy,
(18:53):
but I'm already like, okay,what's next?
What's for?
You know, 2025 at this point,because my residency at the
contemporary is gonna go on to2024.
So I'm like what can I, youknow, what can I apply to, or
what's it gonna look like for meback then, and you know, you
can only plan so much ahead oftime.
but that is something that I'velearned is to like start looking
(19:16):
at things like for myfellowship Like I started
working on that, I think, theminute it opened and I worked a
little bit like every soul untilit was almost time for it to be
due same for my residency.
So just taking the time toreally find what it is that I
could do or would want to do,and putting it all to that.
Andy Truscott (19:35):
As we wrap up here, remind us one more time
the dates for the Chris WhiteGallery show where the Chris
White Gallery is located and youknow how someone can get in
touch with you if they'reinterested in learning more or
working with you.
Cony Madariaga (19:48):
Yes, so the dates for the Chris White
Gallery, the opening receptionwould be September 22nd, but we
have the art loop October 6th,we have El Mercado de Arte,
which would be the market.
That would be October 21st.
The time for that is 12 to four, and then we have the closing
reception on November 3rd, whichI believe is November's art
(20:10):
loop in Wilmington, and thatwould be five to nine.
I am you can reach me throughmy email, through my Instagram,
which is conymadariaga, and thenmy website is literally the
same, without the dot in themiddle, but all of that stuff is
the link is on my Instagram.
But, yeah, reach out to me.
(20:30):
I like to feel like I'm an opendoor for people.
I'm excited.
I'm excited to take on newprojects for the upcoming year.
["dell Aware State of theArts"].
Andy Truscott (21:02):
Dell Aware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast
that presents interviews witharts organizations and leaders
who contribute to the culturalvibrancy of communities
throughout Delaware.
Delaware State of the Arts isprovided as a service of the
Delaware Division of the Arts inpartnership with News Radio,
1450WILM and 1410WDOV.
(21:25):
The Delaware Division of theArts, a branch of the Delaware
Department of State, iscommitted to supporting the arts
and cultivating creativity toenhance the quality of life in
Delaware.
Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts
Council, the Divisionadministers grants and programs
that support arts programming,educate the public, increase
(21:48):
awareness of the arts andintegrate the arts into all
facets of Delaware life.
To find out more about thedivision, visit artsdellawaregov
.
For Delaware State of the Arts, I'm Andy
Truscott.
My guest today is ConeyMaderyaga.
Born in Santiago, Chile, shehas been in love with art since
she was a young child.
The need to create constantlyruns through her body and all of
her pieces have been created bythis feeling that takes her
over and needs to be propelledinto some kind of canvas.
Coney is a 2023 individualartist fellow from the Delaware
(00:33):
Division of the Arts and wasalso named a 2023 artist in
residency at the DelawareContemporary.
Thank you so much for joiningme today and, as we kick off a
little bit, can you share a bitabout your early memories
growing up and how thoseexperiences continue to
influence you and your artworktoday?
Cony Madariaga (00:50):
Yes, hi, andy, thank you so much for having me.
So when people ask me like howlong I've been, you know, into
art, for I always say forever.
I moved here when I was seven,so I do have a good amount of
memories like growing up.
But I think moving here likeI've always went into art, like
I've always had a sketchbook,I've always wanted to take all
(01:10):
the art classes and it wasalways like my space right.
So I have, like in my workyou'll see a lot of like
nostalgic stuff, like my familyin Chile, my grandparents, so I
you know what I mean.
Like I try to get pieces frommy background in Chile, but I
moved at such a young age.
Andy Truscott (01:28):
Talk to us a little bit about where you pull
inspiration from for your pieces.
Cony Madariaga (01:32):
So my inspiration varies and I've
always felt like I've had a hardtime answering this question
for a long time when people arelike what kind of art do you do?
And I'm like a little bit ofeverything.
So it varies from portraits,still life.
The portraits can go like Ihave a lot of Frida Kahlo pieces
.
I'm a little obsessed with her.
(01:52):
I've been inspired a lot by theBlack Lives Matter movements,
so those pieces are a little bitmore emotional to me and
they've been done by aninspiration.
But it's also like this feelingof like you want to get that
out.
But I'm literally alwaysinspired.
(02:13):
I might be like drinking coffeesomewhere and I see two people
like sitting there and I'm like,oh wow, what a moment.
So I might try to sketch itreal quick.
Andy Truscott (02:23):
Talk to us a little bit about the elements of
Frida's work that resonate withyou and how that influence can
be seen in your own work.
Cony Madariaga (02:31):
I think her culture and how she referenced
her culture a lot.
I love that.
I think colors in generalthat's the one piece of her work
that you can see in my work butI just love her authenticity,
like the unibrow, the mustache,the not necessarily always
dressing like a typical strongwoman, strong female.
(02:53):
I just love her honest.
Andy Truscott (02:56):
Koni, everyone comes to the arts differently.
Right, you have an educationalbackground in behavioral
sciences, but you've always kindof been drawn to art.
How do you see the connectionbetween your artistic expression
and then kind of the backgroundthat you have in behavioral
sciences?
Cony Madariaga (03:14):
So funny story.
Well, I feel like growing up asmuch as I loved art, like in
high school, like I took, Ithink by my senior year, I was
taking like four different artclasses and at one point my
teacher wanted to push for me togo to art school and I was like
at that moment in my life Ididn't know that that was an
option, that I could actually bea successful artist.
(03:37):
So I was like, let me dosomething where the money is
secure.
So that's how I went intobehavioral science.
I've always also had a need forhelping people.
So I was like, all right, letme get into that.
And I still help people in myeveryday life.
Like I'm just a natural giverkind of person.
But I'm actually no longer likeusing my degree, like the job
(04:00):
that I have now per se, but yeah, I think it just.
I think in my artistic practicethe way that still connects.
Like I said, I'm a giver.
So, like you know, I like tohelp any other artists that I
meet, even artists that are likemore upcoming than me, like
newer to this.
I think I've learned, I'velearned from other artists and I
just love to share.
(04:21):
I don't like to gatekeep, youknow it's a.
I think we have a wonderfulcommunity in Delaware and part
of that is just sharing what weknow.
I told a million people applyfor the fellowship this year.
Andy Truscott (04:32):
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that I you saw
that you know, front and centerat award winners down at the
Biggs.
You know you connecting withand speaking with almost every
individual artist.
That was part of the fellowshipand even kind of the the
uplifting that you you do to allof those that are in the room.
Right, so this isn't justyou're there for yourself, but
you're there to help uplifteveryone, no matter kind of
(04:55):
where they are in their artisticjourney.
Cony Madariaga (04:57):
Yeah, for sure, I feel like, um, I've always
said I'm an artist, regardless.
You know, I'm thankful to Godfor that.
Like I feel like I'm, as longas I can, I'm always going to be
an artist.
And to me, like, when I saythat, I feel like there's all
types of artists, there's peoplewho are so an artist even if
they never showed before, right,so like I'm always an artist.
(05:17):
And then, like this is just asnew to me as it is, you know, to
anyone else who's just started,who wants to like make a career
, who wants there art to be seen.
So I take a lot of like to theheart to be able to like extend
anything I know and ask likekeep on growing.
Andy Truscott (05:31):
You're also not just an artist for artist's sake
, but you are a teaching artistat a few different organizations
around the state.
Talk to us about what you getout of those experiences and
then what you hope the communitygets from your involvement with
those kind of activities.
Cony Madariaga (05:47):
Yeah, I literally get so much joy if I
have to find a word just to beable to, you know, share a
little bit of what I do and givepeople the space to do what
they do and do it their way, but, you know, to be able to have
this place where they alreadyhave the supplies, where they
have someone who can guide thema little bit, um, it's just
always very rewarding and I'vebeen doing it for like a little
(06:10):
over a year now, um, and divinga little bit deeper into it.
I'm hoping that this year I'llhave like a few more residencies
, teaching residencies, um, soI'm excited about that.
But it's always very rewarding.
People's reaction, like rightnow, um, mostly, like constantly
through this year I've beenworking with, uh, los Abuelos,
(06:30):
which is a senior group at LACC,um, and that's through healing,
through the arts, through theDelaware Museum of Art, and it's
just their reaction everysingle time, their willingness
to participate, to take onsomething new.
And then I think the biggest,the biggest reward of that is
just being in community, right,like the conversations that you
(06:52):
get there are amazing.
Andy Truscott (06:54):
The pandemic no doubt brought some challenges
and for some individual artists,that also brought opportunities
.
That you were allowed to have alittle more dedicated studio
time, a little more you time tokind of view the world through a
different lens.
Uh, how do you feel like thatopportunity presented itself to
you and do you feel like yourartistic uh expression or
direction or direction has hasprogressed since the beginning
(07:18):
of 2020?
Cony Madariaga (07:19):
The pandemic was really like a big factor in my
life, as to everyone else, butas far as like taking advantage
of whatever good might come fromthat, for me, it looked like I
was literally making art everyday.
Um, I was painting, drawingevery day.
It was also a time where I'mlike I really want to do this,
like you know.
I mean, I really want todedicate more time to my art, so
(07:41):
that 2020, um is when I left myjob.
I was doing like counseling,like social work, um, and I was
like, whoom, I'm gonna take thisstep.
So I I left my job, I went andgot a job serving, which, at the
time, was more flexible, um,and I could, I could really, you
know, put time into my art.
(08:03):
So it just really opened my, myeyes to be like, okay, this is
what you're doing.
Like it gave me the gift oftime, which was priceless, um,
you know, everything has itspros and cons, you know, and
I've lived by myself at themoment too.
So it was like all right, likelet me just put it all here.
You know, when you were scared,when you were worried, like it
(08:24):
was all left on a canvas, butyeah, I'm thankful for that
because I was able to reallymake that shift in my career,
like, okay, let me findsomething that will allow me to
have time to do this.
Andy Truscott (08:36):
Talk to me about how the Division's individual
artist fellowship has had animpact, just even this year, on
your journey, and how it'sencouraged you or provided
opportunities that maybe youfeel like you might not have had
without it.
Cony Madariaga (08:50):
I was sorry by saying, when I got that email,
that I got it, I literally burstinto tears.
I was like, oh my god, it wasso good.
It was just such a good feeling.
It still is and, you know,aside from like the money part
was so helpful, like I was ableto pay for the studio that I was
set at the time, able to getsupplies.
But then the amount ofopportunities that came from
(09:12):
that, like just networking,meeting new people you know I'll
have my exhibition is still upat the Biggs, I'll have work in
Smyrna because of, you know,people reaching out to me for
the fellowship.
So it's been great all around.
It's been, you know, like greatnetworking, you know, to talk
(09:33):
to people and meet people that Ireally never thought I would
meet.
You know what I mean Like thecurator for the Biggs Museum,
like, and it was also like afeeling of like, oh, like me, me
, like it was so good.
Andy Truscott (09:46):
Looking ahead, you've mentioned producing an
entirely new body of work in2023.
What themes, styles or mediumsdo you hope to explore in this
new kind of creative phase?
Cony Madariaga (09:57):
Yes, so I feel like you know, I say I always
been painting and stuff, andit's true, but I think when I
first, I remember, like in 2019,I had my first exhibition and
like sometime before then, afterthat, just like always painting
not necessarily know what I waspainting, but it just that need
to move the brush and thenthrough the last few years, I
(10:18):
just been able to like make moreintentional decisions, like you
know what I'm going to paint,this, I'm going to paint that
instead of just sitting with ablank, which is also good to do,
but I've, I'm happy that.
I'm happy that I'm now able tolike have an idea my new body of
work that I want to like.
I started to paint images oflike people in togetherness and
(10:40):
you know that's like a broadtopic, but I just wanted to like
show like a mom and a child ora person and a dog, and just be
able to like capture thosemoments, because I'm always in
awe when I see moments like that.
Like that's one of the thingsthat inspire me.
So I just want to be able tocapture those moments that put
me in all and transfer them to acanvas.
So that's one of the thingsthat I want to do.
(11:01):
I also paint really fast forthe most part, so like I can go
from like one thing to another.
Andy Truscott (11:08):
I want to take just a minute here to remind our
listeners that you're tunedinto News Radio 1450 WILM and
1410 WDOV for Delaware State ofthe Arts Koni as we kind of
transition here.
Right, you're opening a showthat you've curated yourself on
September 22nd over at the ChrisWhite Gallery.
Tell us more about the show andwhat patrons can expect to see
(11:29):
when they walk inside the doors.
Cony Madariaga (11:32):
Yes.
So I'm really excited to firstof all put on the curator hat.
I just want to shout out allthe curators out there, it's a
cool, intense but very amazingjob.
The show is called extranjeraextranjero, which means
foreigner.
When I was approached, you know, for the opportunity to do this
show for the month of September, for Hispanic hair decision
(11:54):
march, which I believe startsSeptember 15.
I was super excited.
I was like, okay, so my brainjust went to this feeling that
I've always had no soy de aquÃ,no soy de ya, and a lot of
people who you know, I mean, whohave some kind of connection to
another country, you know, feelthis way and that means I'm not
(12:15):
from here nor from there.
You know, like when I go backhome, I haven't been back home
but say, if I'm around, like mycousins or stuff like that, I'm
like I don't feel Chilean enough, you know.
And then over here, so it'slike, okay, like you know, I am
American, but it's the part thatstill feels like you're
somewhere in between.
So I really wanted toacknowledge that feeling.
(12:36):
And then just everyone'sstories.
Everyone has a story, whetherthey migrated here as a child or
their parents did.
We have about 19 differentartists.
Most of them are Delawarelocals.
There's a few that are from,like, philadelphia, but I'm just
super excited to get everyone'swork and put this story
together.
I've also been able to likemeet some new artists and some
of their stories and I'm likewow, like you know what I mean.
(12:59):
I get to be a little part ofthat, like give you a space to
save this, because a lot ofpeople Vesinate with the I'm not
from here, I'm not from thereand a lot of people have stories
like their immigration storiesare huge.
So I'm I'm really excited aboutthat.
We'll have the art loop October6.
We're gonna have a market day,meaning you can come see the
(13:20):
exhibition and there'll be likeprints and smaller pieces of
work that people can buy.
That's gonna be Saturday,october 21st, and then the
closing reception will beNovember 3rd.
Andy Truscott (13:31):
I'm super excited to to be a part of this for
those listening that might notknow what goes into kind of
curating an art show.
Talk to us a little bit aboutwhat that means and what your
responsibilities are, and kindof bringing the show to life.
Cony Madariaga (13:45):
This is a group exhibition and I wanted to, you
know, give space to as manypeople as I could.
So that's why I have about 19artists and that looked like me
one coming up with the theme,you know what I mean.
And second, okay, reach.
Now it was important for me toreach out to Latino artists, you
know, or anyone who identifieswith that story per se because
(14:07):
of Hispanic Heritage Month.
But reaching out to artists,you know, seeing if there's
something that they already done, that I want to have any
exhibition reviewing all thework that they're submitting.
I asked everyone to submit aboutfive pieces and I'm choosing at
least like two to three fromeach artist.
It just really depends on thesize.
So that's been, you know,that's been fun and just like
(14:29):
looking at everyone's work andthen trying to put it together.
And then there's also like ithas been fun, it has been like,
and I think, because the themeis so close to me that I'm like,
oh, I think I'm made for this,but it's definitely a lot of
work.
And then it's a lot of like,you know, like, admin work that
goes into it, and then justworking with, like, the gallery
itself, you know, like havingyou know, okay, what day is the
(14:52):
artist going to drop off thework, making sure that the work
is ready to be hung, and all ofthat stuff.
So I do want to shout outJayquan Loveroy, because he's
been a hundred percent helpfulwith this as well.
Andy Truscott (15:03):
How do you think this experience has helped you
grow as an individual artist onthe other side of the spectrum?
Cony Madariaga (15:10):
I think in many ways.
One it helps me see likethere's so many more things that
you can do as an artist.
Right, and I mean I've learnedthat with.
I'm not a communication artist,but I'm like I want to take
this and like go to Philly next.
You know what I mean Like Iwould love to take this and make
it travel eventually.
But this experience has beengood, and then it's also good to
like I've done a good amount ofexhibitions now, so I do
(15:33):
understand what, like how I needto present my work to the
gallery.
But it's just understandingfrom the other side.
You know what I mean.
Like send your work on time,like all around.
It just makes you appreciatewhat the curator does.
I think I can do like maybelike two, maybe.
I said I could probably do thistwice a year.
Andy Truscott (15:52):
As you think back right on a younger you, or even
as you, as as you mentor otherartists, they're kind of growing
up through their artistic path.
What's some advice that youmight share with upcoming
artists?
Cony Madariaga (16:05):
My thing is keep dreaming, keep dreaming.
A lot of times, I feel like weare our worst critics, you know,
and we feel like, oh, I'm notthat good, or you know, like me,
I was like I can't make aliving out of.
Selma artwork.
You know, when I was in highschool and I wish that I would
have known, no, like, there's somany ways that you can do this,
you know.
So if there's something that'spulling at you, if there's
(16:27):
something that you truly want todo, I would say do it, you know
, and whatever that looks likefor you, because everyone has
different resources.
So, if it looks like a littlesketchbook at night and just
getting it out that way, cool,you know, like, do it in
whatever way it works for youand eventually you'll be able to
make more space for it.
I think as you start, like,realizing and seeing and
(16:49):
opportunities, opportunitieswill come, but you've got to be
ready for them.
So that's that's my thingtrying to, like, you know, learn
to get ready, and I've found somuch help within the artist
community in Wilmington.
You know, like, I didn't alwaysknow how to do an artist
statement.
You know, I didn't always know,like, how should my website
(17:10):
look?
You know, and I'm very proud ofmy website, but you, there's
other people that've done this,you know what I mean.
So, and most people are 100%willing to say, hey, you know, I
did this, maybe this can helpyou.
Or hey, I use this or I wenthere.
So just reaching out to peopleand honestly just believing in
your dreams and just doing it ifthat's something that you truly
(17:31):
want to do.
Andy Truscott (17:32):
Talk to me about yourself right now, in this
moment.
How do you think you definesuccess for yourself?
Are there any specificmilestones or achievements that
you're looking to accomplish inthe coming years, and what kind
of when you look back makes youmakes you really proud of the
work that you've accomplished sofar?
Cony Madariaga (17:50):
I think you know success, you know it's a
definition to each person, butto me, it's always been the fact
that I get to do this.
You know, like I'm 32 and I getto do this not full time but
almost full time and I just Ifeel lucky to do that, I feel
successful in that, you know,and the fact and then I've
(18:11):
learned to do other things withmy skills, like I can teach,
like that, to me, that wassomething that at one point, I
was was the word I guess alittle insecure about it because
I didn't have the technicalskills from going to an art
school.
So that's something that I'vealways been like.
But can I really do this?
So I'm really proud of myselffor doing this for over a year
(18:33):
and jumping into it way more,and like when into the residency
, that to me was huge.
Like what?
Like I'm an artist, I'm anartist, I'm an artist.
So it's just living.
Literally, I feel like I'mliving my dream and they're only
getting bigger.
So I think right now I'm prettylike this year's super busy,
(18:53):
but I'm already like, okay,what's next?
What's for?
You know, 2025 at this point,because my residency at the
contemporary is gonna go on to2024.
So I'm like what can I, youknow, what can I apply to, or
what's it gonna look like for meback then, and you know, you
can only plan so much ahead oftime.
but that is something that I'velearned is to like start looking
(19:16):
at things like for myfellowship Like I started
working on that, I think, theminute it opened and I worked a
little bit like every soul untilit was almost time for it to be
due same for my residency.
So just taking the time toreally find what it is that I
could do or would want to do,and putting it all to that.
Andy Truscott (19:35):
As we wrap up here, remind us one more time
the dates for the Chris WhiteGallery show where the Chris
White Gallery is located and youknow how someone can get in
touch with you if they'reinterested in learning more or
working with you.
Cony Madariaga (19:48):
Yes, so the dates for the Chris White
Gallery, the opening receptionwould be September 22nd, but we
have the art loop October 6th,we have El Mercado de Arte,
which would be the market.
That would be October 21st.
The time for that is 12 to four, and then we have the closing
reception on November 3rd, whichI believe is November's art
(20:10):
loop in Wilmington, and thatwould be five to nine.
I am you can reach me throughmy email, through my Instagram,
which is conymadariaga, and thenmy website is literally the
same, without the dot in themiddle, but all of that stuff is
the link is on my Instagram.
But, yeah, reach out to me.
(20:30):
I like to feel like I'm an opendoor for people.
I'm excited.
I'm excited to take on newprojects for the upcoming year.
["dell Aware State of theArts"].
Andy Truscott (21:02):
Dell Aware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast
that presents interviews witharts organizations and leaders
who contribute to the culturalvibrancy of communities
throughout Delaware.
Delaware State of the Arts isprovided as a service of the
Delaware Division of the Arts inpartnership with News Radio,
1450WILM and 1410WDOV.
(21:25):
The Delaware Division of theArts, a branch of the Delaware
Department of State, iscommitted to supporting the arts
and cultivating creativity toenhance the quality of life in
Delaware.
Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts
Council, the Divisionadministers grants and programs
that support arts programming,educate the public, increase
(21:48):
awareness of the arts andintegrate the arts into all
facets of Delaware life.
To find out more about thedivision, visit artsdellawaregov
.
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