'Dwelling in the invisible'...An interview with: Carolina Pavia
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
Astral speak with Mexican surrealist painter @carolinaapavia
"Carolina Pavia's work occupies a fascinating intersection where the raw energy of urban art, the rigor of academicism, the atmosphere of magical realism, and the depth of surrealism converge. Through her painting practice, she materializes dreamlike states and psychological tensions, creating a visual universe where the everyday is transfigured into the extraordinary. Her canvases and murals act as portals to inner landscapes, exploring the complexity of the human psyche through a distinctive color palette and a technique that masters both large format and intimate detail." - www.carolinapavia.com
Read on below for the full interview...
First of all where are you from, and what are you passionate about?
I am a Mexican artist. My work comes from the need to translate into images what often cannot be said with words. I am passionate about exploring the relationship between dreams, memory, nature, and the inner world. I find inspiration in my own life path, in symbols, in emotions, and in small details.
How is life at the moment... are there any ideas captivating you?
I am in a stage of self-observation. I feel that each work allows me to better understand who I am and how I relate to the world. Right now I am especially interested in the idea of transformation: how experiences, even the most difficult ones, can become beauty, learning, and growth, even pain. I also reflect a great deal on the connection between human beings and nature.
What are some of the key ideas and themes that inspire your work?
The themes that appear most often in my work are identity, the subconscious, the duality between light and shadow, memory, the cycles of life, and the spiritual connection with nature. There is also a great deal of feminine energy and strength. Art has become my way of asking questions about my existence.
Could you talk to us about the practical process of creating a new work of art: the methods you use to create it, and what kind of emotions you experience?
Each work begins with an image, an emotion, or an intuition. I usually make small sketches and gather visual references, but I leave room for the work to change during the process. I like to work intuitively, allowing forms, colors, and symbols to appear naturally. Creating is a state of deep concentration and presence; it is a dialogue between the conscious and the unconscious. Sometimes it is a challenging process, but also deeply liberating and enriching.
What have surrealism and symbolism taught you about consciousness and the human condition?
For me, surrealism is a refuge from the outside world, a door to that place where there is no judgment. It allows me to explore dreams, emotions, and the unconscious without being literal. Symbolism, for its part, has taught me that an image can contain multiple meanings and that each viewer completes the work from their own experience. Both languages remind me that reality is much more complex than we perceive at first glance.
Do you think symbols appeal more to the intellect or to intuition? If symbols are a language, to whom or to what are they addressed?
I believe symbols speak first to intuition and then to the intellect. Many times we feel the meaning before we can explain it. Symbols are a universal language that connects with memory, emotions, and the unconscious. They are addressed not only to the mind, but to the whole human experience, allowing each person to find a different interpretation according to their own history and sensitivity.
What fills you with the greatest joy and happiness in relation to your work and your life?
What makes me happiest is discovering that a work manages to connect with someone else. Knowing that a personal experience can connect with anyone in the world captivates me with the power of art; it is as if each image works on souls with its own language. I also greatly enjoy constant learning, the possibility of experimenting with new ideas, and the freedom I find in creating.
What does spirituality mean to you?
For me, spirituality is not necessarily tied to a religion, but to a way of living with greater connection. It is the ability to observe the world with wonder, to recognize that everything is related, and to find meaning in nature, silence, creativity, and human experiences. Art is one of the ways in which I experience that connection and try to share it with others.
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Discover more of Carolina Pavia via their:
- Astral Magazine
