Q&A with Eva Agüero
Born in Venezuela, Eva M. Agüero uses materials as symbols to reflect on the ideas of perception and domesticity, using concepts associated with memory and territory. Domestic daily actions conjoin with construction materials to bring about reflections of their influence in our perceptual processes, and how our preconceived notions mold our reality. Agüero has participated in various shows in Venezuela, such as the National Universities art Prize at MACZUL, where she was awarded second place, and the prestigious Youth with FIA Salon (Ibero-American Art Fair), where she received an honorary mention.
Briefly describe your thesis project. What themes are you exploring, and in what mediums/with what materials?
My thesis project explores the lingering influence of colonial discourse on identity, migration, and cultural perception. Through video installations, sculpture, and constructed environments, I investigate how colonialist ideals shape self-perception, particularly in the diaspora. Using miniatures, toys, artificial plants, and clay, I stage controlled yet unstable narratives that challenge Eurocentric patterns of decorum and identity. A central element is a large clay palm tree sculpture, symbolizing the reductive, romanticized views imposed on Latinx identities, surrounded by experimental videos that reimagine and resist these narratives.
What do you hope someone feels when they experience your work?
I want viewers to experience a sense of tension between familiarity and strangeness, order and disruption, reflecting the unstable negotiations of identity in a postcolonial world. My work invites reflection on inherited cultural norms and challenges the ways identity is constructed, perceived, and imposed, particularly in the context of migration.
Eva M. Agüero in her studio. (Photo: Caitlin Custer)
Was there anyone early in life who had a big influence on your creativity?
My mother, an art teacher for children, played a crucial role in fostering my creativity. She constantly encouraged my siblings and me to explore artistic expression through fun art projects, creating an environment where art felt natural and essential. My family has always been supportive of my artistic practice, in part because creativity was such an integral part of our upbringing.
Additionally, my great aunt, a renowned ceramic artist in Venezuela, deeply influenced me. I vividly remember visiting her studio as a child and later as a teenager, captivated by her process and inspired to pursue a career as an artist.
Are there any faculty, courses, making spaces, or other WashU resources that have had a big impact on you?
My advisor, Amy Hauft, has had a profound impact on my time at WashU. Beyond guiding me through my artistic development, she has been incredibly supportive in helping me navigate both the academic environment and the cultural transitions I have faced. Her mentorship has given me a sense of emotional support and solace, making my experience at WashU very enriching.
