Today we’d like to introduce you to Johana Moscoso.
Hi Johana, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a child, growing up in Colombia who had difficulty focusing in school, the only class in which I excelled was art. My teachers asked my mom if she was doing my drawing homework. Since a young age I was told that I was meant to be an artist. My mother encouraged me to attend art school and to continue my graduate studies.
I received the Honors Thesis award for my “Emotional Protheses” project for my bachelor’s in art and was awarded the Artistic Honors Fellowship from the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, GA. This opportunity enabled me to pursue studies in the United States where I met my sweetheart, who pursued his studies in Chicago. Although the winters in Chicago were challenging, we stayed for nine beautiful years.
My artistic journey has been marked by significant recognition and support. I have been fortunate to receive numerous grants for my practice, including prestigious awards from the Tennessee Arts Commission in 2023, the FY24 Individual Artist Fellowship, the Foundation for Contemporary Arts in 2022, the Emergency Grant, Tri-Star Arts in 2021, the Current Art Fund Grant, ArtsMemphis in 2020, The ArtsAccelerator Grant, and The Puffin Foundation LTD in 2019, among others. These grants have not only provided financial support but also validation of my artistic vision.
My exhibition history is extensive, with recent solo exhibitions such as “Sistemas Invisibles” (2022) at the SCAD Museum of Arts in Savannah, “Machera Floors” at the Clough-Hanson Gallery in Rhodes College (2019), and “The Ingrid López Project” (2023) at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Memphis. My artwork is included in various remarkable collections, including Solita Cohen’s Latin American Collection, the Memphis International Airport, and the Memphis Public Libraries.
In 2023, I was honored to serve as a visiting artist at the School of Design at Louisiana Tech University and I have served in this capacity at Moore College of Art and Design, the University of Memphis, Rhodes College, and Savannah College of Art and Design, and others. I’ve also had the privilege of speaking engagements and critiques at prestigious institutions like the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, The New School Parsons, the University of Wisconsin, and Wells College.
Creating art is one of the pillars of my life and remains a significant overall purpose. I am currently working on various projects that involve research and multiple mediums, with an emphasis on embroidery. I am grateful for the beautiful community that has always supported me and for the numerous opportunities I have received. I am incredibly thankful to my partner, Scott A. Carter, an artist, and my Colombian family for their unwavering support.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being an artist comes with several obstacles and challenges. As an immigrant from Bogotá, Colombia, with English as my second language, communication was often difficult, especially in the early stages of my career and I faced additional hurdles as a Latina woman in the arts. Unfortunately, I usually find myself as the only Latine or female Latine in the room, but my Latinx heritage has been a source of strength and resilience and inspiration. During the 2008 economic crisis, I worked as a Spanish teacher for kids, which was unrelated to my artistic endeavors. While challenging, this experience led me to collaborate with other Latinxs on performative installations and I forged lasting friendships. Overcoming language barriers, improving written applications, and navigating the complexities of grant writing have been additional struggles. However, these challenges have taught me to dream big and listen to my voice and I’m proud of my successes
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might need to become more familiar with what you do, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Memphis, Tennessee. My artwork delves into the co-narratives of South American and North American cultures, exploring themes of identity, fauna flora, and migration through the lens of movement and labor. My creative process involves utilizing a diverse range of media and techniques, including fiber, performance, sculpture, and video, emphasizing the strength of fiber and textiles within my artistic practice. One aspect of my work that I am most proud of is my ability to navigate multiple roles and challenges while maintaining a commitment to making art. Despite many obstacles, I have remained dedicated to my practice.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Many incredible people have played pivotal roles in my artistic practice. Foremost among them are my family, especially my mother, father, grandfather, and partner. My grandfather transformed a room on the terrace into a studio for me, even installing clear roof tiles to enhance the lighting. His lessons in mixing cement and sand for sculptures left an indelible mark on my craft, and our bond was extraordinary. In addition, my aunt Pupita and great aunt Rosita were instrumental. Their expertise in stitching and sewing became integral aspects of my practice. The guidance from my teachers, friends, and mentors has been invaluable throughout my schooling and beyond. Together, these and many other remarkable individuals have formed a supportive community that has propelled me forward in my creative process, for which I am endlessly grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: johanamoscoso.com
- Instagram: @johanamoscoso
Image Credits
1. La historia calada de estela, la flor y el cactus (detail.) Hand and machine stitch, drawn thread embroidery on canvas over black velvet.40 in x 30.25in x 1.2in (101.6cm x 76.8cm x 3cm)2024 Photo by Scott A. Carter
2. La historia calada de estela, la flor y el cactus. Hand and machine stitch, drawn thread embroidery on canvas over black velvet. 40in x 30.25in x 1.2in (101.6cm x 76.8cm x 3cm)2024 Photo by Scott A. Carter
