Meet Maria Vallier | Visual Artist working in Sculpture and painting

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maria Vallier and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maria, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursue an artistic career because it is the most authentic way I have found to connect with the world and express the complexity of human experience. Art allows me to communicate ideas, emotions, and memories that transcend language—creating a space where the personal becomes universal.

My interest in art is not solely about aesthetics or technique; it stems from a deep, persistent need to make meaning, to question, and to engage with the invisible narratives that shape our lives. Even when I feel I lack certain resources or support, this absence becomes material: limitations transform into creative possibilities. I see each constraint not as a barrier but as a space for invention and resilience.

Art gives me the freedom to explore identity, history, and transformation outside of rigid systems. I am driven by a desire to create work that not only reflects my inner world but also resonates with others—provoking thought, inspiring dialogue, and opening emotional or intellectual pathways.

Ultimately, my practice is sustained by a strong sense of purpose. I continue on this path because it is where my voice finds its fullest expression, and where I believe I can contribute meaningfully to cultural and social conversations.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe that what sets my work apart is the craftsmanship behind it. In these times of speed—where everything is mass-produced, machine-made, and tailored to efficiency—there is something profoundly meaningful in creating with one’s own hands. Manual labor, deeply personal and imperfectly human, will stand out even more in the near future.

I work with my own tools, guided by the strength of my hands, the sensitivity of touch, the grain of sandpaper, the sound of the hammer, the rhythm of the chisel. I stop carving when the stone itself asks me to, when a subtle change in sound warns that a fracture may be near. All of this—this intimate dialogue between body, tool, and material—is what gives depth and soul to a piece.

This is what makes my work fundamentally different from something mass-produced or bought in a store. Each piece I create carries a story, a process. It speaks for itself and holds a purpose. Whether I achieve that purpose or not, the intention is there. Once the piece is finished, it begins its own path. It moves, resonates, and reaches those it is meant to reach.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
At the end of June, my sister is coming to visit me in Miami for a week—a much-anticipated reunion filled with our favorite rituals. Over the years, we’ve built a little collection of places that have become our go-to spots whenever we’re together on vacation.

We usually kick off the evening at Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita in Brickell. A couple of cocktails on the terrace with stunning views of the city skyline—it’s the perfect place to soak in the Miami vibe. We love the lights, the people, the food, and that feeling that something exciting is always about to happen. Afterwards, we stroll through the mall, check out a trendy rooftop bar, and let the night unfold.

We’re beach lovers, no doubt about it. A laid-back lunch at the Setai Hotel, a walk down Lincoln Road, and some classic tourist moments never get old. She lives in Argentina and adores the energy and buzz of Miami—it’s a whole different rhythm from home.

One stop we never skip is Le Tub, a quirky pub-restaurant in Hollywood, perched right on the edge of the Intracoastal. It’s a wild, magical spot surrounded by nature and home to what we believe are the best burgers in all of Miami. No trip is complete without it.

We’ll do some shopping—Midtown is always on the list—visit Wynwood, take in the art and atmosphere, and cap the night off with dinner at a cozy restaurant in North Pointe.

Our time together is a celebration of sisterhood, sunshine, and the little adventures that make Miami feel like our own shared playground.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My own life, my memories, my family, my mother, my past, my fantasies, my friendships, and my teachers—all of them have been fundamental seeds, grains of sand that contributed to the shaping of my creative self. But to this constellation, I must also add the knowledge gained through academic studies, the long hours spent in university classrooms, and the countless moments in workshops where my hands learned what my mind could not yet express.

The laughter shared during group projects, the long nights of collective effort, the journeys—both physical and emotional—have all been part of this mosaic. Every joyful and sorrowful memory, every encounter and departure, every challenge and revelation has shaped the way I create.

My artistic voice is the result of all of it: a weaving of lived experience, discipline, curiosity, and emotional intensity. Life itself fills me with the passion to create—not just as an act of expression, but as a necessity. To make art is to honor every moment that has brought me here.

Instagram: maria_vallier