Downtime Interview w/ Susana Blasco
“For me, the most interesting thing is how through collage you learn to look at images in a different way, to see their possibilities of transformation beyond what is represented in those photographs.”
— Susana Blasco, 2025
1) LOCATION?
Bilbao, Spain 🇪🇸
2) YEARS COLLAGING?
About 15 years.
3) WHAT DO YOU LOVE AND DISLIKE ABOUT COLLAGE?
For me, the most interesting thing is how through collage you learn to look at images in a different way, to see their possibilities of transformation beyond what is represented in those photographs.
4) BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
John Stezaker was the first artist who sparked a genuine interest in collage in me. I had been accumulating photographs that I found at flea markets for a long time and when I saw his exhibition at the Whitechapel Gallery in London, I immediately fell in love with his work and decided to start creating something with all those photographs I had.
5) ANALOG VS DIGITAL, PROS & CONS?
I definitely prefer the manual process, the concentration in front of the photographs when you know you are working with a unique material is an indescribable feeling. Although in my case, before starting to cut there is an intense digital work of sketches.
Fugaz 04, Analogue collage with found photo. 29x38cm, 2021
6) THREE TIPS FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN COLLAGE?
- find the material that really interests you
- don't be carried away by trends
- experiment without limits with everything
7) HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR DOWNTIME?
Reading, cooking, relaxing, trying to enjoy things in slow motion.
8) WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR ART PRACTICE HEADING?
I think I'm becoming more and more interested in large formats and sculptural elements, and in trying out new materials, especially textiles.
Angelca, Mural for Kaos Festival (SLOVENIA). Paper on wall. 6x3m, 2019
9) WHAT THREE ARTISTS SHOULD WE CHECK OUT?
Andrea Burgay
Lola Dupré
Eli Craven
10) WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LOVING RIGHT NOW?
I'm in a very nostalgic moment, listening again to the music that interested me in the 90s.
11) UP-AND-COMING EXHIBITIONS OR PROJECTS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
I just had two collective exhibitions in the United States: LAYERS: The art of contemporary collage. At MICA Baltimore and MULTIVERSE at Hampden Gallery (Massachusetts).
And soon I will open another exhibition here in Bilbao entitled ARDATZA NEURTUZ and a textile installation at the Cristobal Balenciaga Museum. Among many other projects.
See more 👀
Gram: @descalza
Web: susanablasco.com
