Interview with Collage Artist Óscar Varona
Óscar Varona, a writer, collagist, and librarian from Madrid, earned his degree in Library Science and Documentation from the Complutense University of Madrid. Influenced by unconventional storytelling and minimal routines, he has released multiple collections of stories and collages. Varona’s notable works include the short story collection “Tremolo” (2003). His writings have been featured in publications such as “The New Yinzer” (USA, 2009), “Mondo Kronheca Literature” (Argentina, 2009), “Metazen” (Canada, 2010), “Ascent Aspirations” (USA, 2014), and various issues of “Groenlandia” (Spain, 2009 and 2010). Other publications showcasing his work include “Imprint” magazine, “Cóctel Demente,” “Pif Magazine,” “Empty Mirror,” and “Rapsodia.” From 2009 to 2012, Varona coordinated and edited the cultural journal “Delirio.” In addition to his extensive writing, he authored the novels “Contracción” and “Nocturna Artificial.” More recently, he has turned his attention to collage art, exploring themes of sexualized/commercialized body images and the juxtaposition of organs, blood, guts, death, and decay. Varona prefers his multidisciplinary art to communicate its meaning without explanation.
Can you please introduce yourself and share with us something about your background?
My name is Óscar Varona and I’m from Madrid, Spain. I’m a writer, a collagist, and a librarian, so far. Nothing more interesting in my background.
How did you get into art? What prompted you to create collages? Can you share with us the first/best memory that made you involved in this path?
I don’t know, or I don’t remember, how I got into art. I guess these are things that have always caught your attention. Other people have their own concerns, neither better nor worse, but there is no specific reason to come to art. It’s not that I’m more sensitive or anything like that, or a better person.
I got into the world of collage because I like the idea of mixing different materials when I made mainly analog collages, and creating images that I couldn’t make with drawing or illustration as such.
My first memory, which is not the best, is buying porn magazines to make my first collages, which turned out to be real shit.
What do you love the most? What are the challenges?
I’m not sure what you mean. If you mean life in general, well, typically, my family and friends. As for creating collages, I love it when I get so absorbed that it’s a kind of meditation. Unlike writing, collages are not stressful. I don’t have any particular challenge. I had them at the time. Now I’m happy to keep breathing.
Who are your creative influences, and whose artwork do you admire at the moment?
I have many creative influences, so many and so diverse that it would be impossible to number them all.
Read the full interview with Óscar Varona at Retrofuturista.com
