Josefina Zorrilla de San Martin
Artist based in Maui, Hawaii.
ABOUT
Josefina Zorrilla de San Martin is a South American painter born in Uruguay and living in Maui, Hawaii. Growing up in a well known artist family, Josefina’s love for art runs deep in her blood. Having resided in Maui for nearly a decade, she is deeply inspired by the vibrant nature of her surroundings. The powerful energy of the Hawaiian landscape inspires her latest collection of abstract paintings. Upon graduating from the Center of Industrial Design in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1995, Josefina worked in the fashion and design industry for twenty years. Alongside her career as a designer, she enrolled in classical figure drawing and painting courses to further develop her technical skills. Prior to moving to Maui, Josefina exhibited a series of figurative paintings at “Casa de la Cultura Maldonado” a cultural center in her native Uruguay. During the pandemic of 2020, Josefina focused on developing her artistic voice and pursuing a career as a painter. Since then, she participated in Maui Open Studios in both 2022 and 2023 and her work has been selected for Hui No’eau Visual Art Center’s annual juried exhibition. Josefina is represented by Maui Hands Gallery in Wailea and Makawao, and her paintings belong in numerous private collections throughout the United States.
ARTIST STATEMENT
In my work, I am inspired by the contrasts in Nature as a reflection of the dualities that exist in us. As I aim to express these opposing elements in each painting, I gain a deeper understanding of my inner world. My creative process is mostly intuitive and echoes the polarities that exist both internally and externally. Working on multiple pieces at a time allows me to move fast and build up layers without thinking. I start each painting with random marks and loose brushstrokes. Then, it’s like a dance, every move is a reaction to the previous one. As I work on later stages of the painting, I slow down to a more detailed and introspective phase, until I feel there’s nothing left to “say.” I find this process to be a profound personal experience, where I get lost in every piece, and somehow find my way back to myself. My work expresses both sides of my nature, the calm introverted side as well as the bold expressionist. I intend for the viewer to feel inspired to go after their dreams, embracing all parts of themselves. It’s our light and shadows that make us who we are. Just as Nature is perfect in its duality, so are we. Because We Are Nature.
Website: www.josefinazorrilla.com
Instagram: @JosefinaZ.art
