Artist Profile: Monica Cliff

Monica Cliff is the creative mind behind Inventiva Works and Teatro ñ. She is from a small town in Mexico named Zacatepec, Morelos. She holds a degree in Scenography from the National Institute of Fine Arts Center, National Theater School of Mexico and is currently a grad student at Edgewood College in the Social Innovation and Sustainability Leadership program.

1)    Do you envision the events of 2020 will have a lasting impact on your creative process?

The events of 2020 have already impacted and influenced my creative process—and I believe it will be a long-term. While there was a loss, I also was able to rethink my mission as an artist, reinventing my work in other meaningful ways. I learned a lot about myself while dealing with the different crises last year presented and I discovered a strength I did not know I had. 2020 taught me that even when the system gets disrupted abruptly, it can also bring an opportunity for a new emerging future; new possibilities to be born.

2) How do you think solidarity amongst artists in Wisconsin could be intentionally cultivated?

This has been my focus during 2020: reaching out to other fellow artists and getting connected mindfully. I think solidarity amongst artists varies widely, depending on the art form, demography or the organization you belong to. However I think relationship building among artists takes work, commitment…while also leaving room for improvement. It needs to be intentionally cultivated. As Malcolm Gladwell states in his book The Tipping Point, “We’re friends with the people we do things with, as much as we are with the people we resemble. We don’t seek out friends, we associate with people who occupy the same small, physical spaces as we do.” Some artists do not get to collaborate often, so this affects the quality of the relationships in the art community. The challenge nowadays for most communities is connecting all the stakeholders and keeping members engaged to create wellbeing for all.

3) Any artwork or projects you are looking forward to pursuing (or finishing) this year?

I just started a new initiative, Teatro ñ, the first Hispanic Community Theater company in the Madison area. Currently we have three groups: kids, youth and adults. I am very excited about this project; and I am very fortunate to have received a great response from the Hispanic community. We are meeting virtually now, but I hope we get to have in person rehearsals later this year. 

4) Share your fave installation, exhibition, writing or performance by another artist that you've recently encountered.

Here are three virtual events I attended recently and loved:

•       Tierra, Arte y Cultura: Organized by Wisconsin Mujer, featuring a variety of local Latinx artists.

•       Los Rostros Ocultos: I attended the virtual tour featuring Angelica Contreras's beautiful paintings and hosted at Latino Arts, Inc. in Milwaukee.

•       The Niceties: A virtual innovative play by Forward Theater.