Downtime Interview w/ Paola Dcroz
“Collage is very appealing for its immediacy and democracy; anyone can start at any point.”
— Paola Dcroz, 2025
1) LOCATION?
I am based in Madrid, Spain 🇪🇸
2) YEARS COLLAGING?
I’ve been doing collage for 5 years now.
3) WHAT DO YOU LOVE AND DISLIKE ABOUT COLLAGE?
Collage is very appealing for its immediacy and democracy; anyone can start at any point. Also, it’s tactility is a powerful medium for connecting; besides, you don’t need much preparation as in painting, and it gives you the possibility of exploring different scenarios with your pieces before you settle with the final one.
4) BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
The biggest influences in my practice range from artists such as Mark Rothko, Juan Muñoz, Naum Gabo, to illustrators such as Tina Berning, musicians like Phillip Glass, Dead can dance, writers like Sylvia Plath and dance; I discovered Ohad Naharin and it’s been amazing.
5) ANALOG VS DIGITAL, PROS & CONS?
I haven’t used digital collage ever, to me the magic of collage hides not only in the pieces you find randomly but also in how chance plays a very decisive roll. It wouldn’t express myself if I were able to build and duplicate the images I needed.
6) THREE TIPS FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN COLLAGE?
My three tips for someone starting collage would be:
- practice daily
- forget about right and wrong
- trust and follow your instincts
7) HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR DOWNTIME?
I spend my downtime running in the mountains, visiting museums, gathering with friends and family, reading, watching films and drinking tea.
8) WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR ART PRACTICE HEADING?
I see my art practice heading to the exploration of the concepts a deal with, in all the forms it can take, but what’s more important to me is that I keep doing collages on a daily basis.
“Portrait” Analogue collage on paper, 21cm x 30 cm, 2023
9) WHAT THREE ARTISTS SHOULD WE CHECK OUT?
Collage artist Rita La Valle, dancer Ohad Naharin with the Batsheva dance Company and photographer Saul Leiter.
10) WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LOVING RIGHT NOW?
I am loving Thom Yorke, Bjork, Cocteau Twins, Arcade Fire, Florence and the Machine, Dead can dance.
11) UP-AND-COMING EXHIBITIONS OR PROJECTS WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?
I am working on a project dealing with image and significance, and trying to bring up an exhibition of my work.
See more 👀
Gram: @paola.dcroz
