Sculptor and ceramist Katia Gonzalez Salazar takes refuge in her studio in the late afternoon and gives free rein to her imagination. She has already produced nearly two hundred pieces in terracotta…
Since last March 17, date of the entry into force of the confinement throughout France, Katia Gonzalez Salazar cannot go to the Centre des Métiers d’Art in Pointe-à-Pitre where she is a multi-skilled activity leader. But she doesn’t have time to be idle. Indeed, the Cuban-born sculptor and ceramist who has been living in Guadeloupe for many years is taking advantage of this very special moment – also experienced by many countries in order to contain this coronavirus-covid-19 pandemic – to produce pieces in her workshop at home in Les Abymes.
“I’m not bored during this lockdown. In the morning, I do the housework, the cooking, I take care of my daughter Carla who is 6 years old, I do sports etc. In the late afternoon (every day) around 5.30 pm, I put on “my combat gear” to go to my studio and my husband takes care of our daughter. At this time of day, temperatures are cooler, everything is quiet, there is no car noise, I am quiet to work with pleasure. I don’t do sculpture at the moment but pottery and I don’t lack inspiration. I can stay in my studio for hours because I can finish at 9:00 pm, 10:00 pm or 11:00 pm. This lockdown also allowed me to get some rest and spend the morning in bed (…)”, she told.
A perfectionist artist
Like many artists, Katia Gonzalez Salazar is a perfectionist. All the pieces she creates are checked and scrutinized before being exhibited on the tables of her studio.
It should be noted that the young woman is a recognized artist in her island, Cuba, where she has exhibited her works several times at national and international events and she is a graduate from the Provincial Academy of Plastic Arts “José Joaquin Tejada” in Santiago de Cuba.
The deconfinement is scheduled on May 11 and the sculptor-ceramist has already produced 164 pieces in terracotta (jars, pots with or without lids, bowls, cups, vases, incense holders, figures etc.). What does she intend to do with all her creations? At first, she didn’t really think about it, now she would like to sell them on the occasion of Mother’s Day which will take place on June 7 but she thinks this might be complicated because of the restrictions put in place by the authorities. Her stepson has just suggested that she shows her “special lockdown” production on the Net so she hopes to sell it thanks to the “drive” system and thus honour the moms…
