The internationally renowned installation, environmental artist, painter and sculptor, who has developed a visual language that brings the realities of time and space to a human scale – and is acclaimed for her ephemeral and permanent art works executed in the landscape and public sites – plumbs her own psychological depths only to discover what makes her love work and life.
What historical art figure would you like to have lunch with and why? Akhenaten, I would like to ask him if he came from another planet with advanced ideas and did he know it when he was on Planet Earth during this lifetime.
Sol Star, Giza Plateau, Egypt, 1996, Photo by Tarek Naga
What did you purchase with the proceeds from your first sale? An orange VW bug
What words or phrases do you overuse? A few, including, ‘I can’t believe how great life is,’ ‘Look at this!! Pinch me, is what I am seeing really happening, i.e., life on this planet,’ and there’s also ‘darling’ (or so my daughter tells me).
How do you know when a work is finished? It depends… when the emotional, the perceptual and the visual align. In writing, it’s when I am violent with words and feel spent.
When and where were you happiest? When I am on the water at high speed – and most recently at Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.
Particle Horizon, 2014, Photo by Eric Stoner
What is your most treasured possession? A blue and red mala that dear friends made for me for meditation. And my library!
Where is your ideal escape destination? In the water…anywhere.
Spine of the Earth, 2012, Photo by Marissa Roth
What’s the worst survival job you’ve ever had? I was a phone operator when I was 16 years old, selling “winning tickets.”
What TV series from your youth best describes your approach to life? I never watched television.
For full film, clips, and bios go to http://www.eztvmedia.com/lawoman.html
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Keeping promises to myself.
Dark Iris, Third Street Banners, Santa Monica, CA, 2008
What is your most treasured memory? The birth of my children.
What makes you smile? A great performance.
Freeway Lady, Mural by Kent Twitchell
What makes you cry? Injustice.
What is your go-to drink when you toast to a sale? Champagne.
After an all-nighter, what’s your breakfast of champions? A great espresso.
Wind Paintings, 2012, Photo by Brian Forrest
Who inspires you? Who doesn’t? I am moved by humans on this planet.
What’s your best quality? Openness
What’s your biggest flaw? Fear of rejection.
Jasmine Albuquerque Croissant in An Elongated Now, Photo by Sandie Ward
What do you consider your greatest achievement? My children, no doubt.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Not being so afraid of doing what I fear most first – on a daily basis.
What is your current state of mind? Happy, engaged.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what would it be? A composer, a DP [Director of Photography],or a writer. Also, a great lover!
Cover photo, Sol Star, 1996, by Tarek Naga
Lita Albuquerque can be reached at http://litaalbuquerque.com/
