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

Hi Almudena, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
I am very happy when I get through my work a personal or social good through my work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My goal is to achieve a balance between my culture and contemporary art. I have worked and I work very hard to survive in the world of art. Art is not just a trade, it is a way of life. I have overcome the challenges giving twice what was expected of me. One of the greatest learnings I have had has been that security about what you believe and your speech about it is essential. You have to know very well what surrounds you to be able to talk about it. I think that for an artist it is essential to live with others and understand that we ourselves are another tool in this world that can contribute desires, struggles, concerns, dreams to society. What makes me happiest is when I achieve personal or social good through my art. I guess that’s why I love to take pictures. I do not understand this life if it is not shared in community.

Most of my work deals with drawing, painting and murals. My most recurring leitmotif, the portrait. The most represented environment and elements, the sea and those deeply connected with its roots.

If I had to define myself as an artist, it would be as a stubborn storyteller.

Art is a journey to reflect, understand, fantasize and tell about what has been experienced. Extrapolating this concept about people is what makes me love taking pictures.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first visit would be to my own house to share a good lunch. Around a table people share their concerns in a more fluid way. Then I would take them to visit the old part of my city. I am from Córdoba, Andalusia, from the south of Spain. Our city has deep Arab origins. The Mosque is essential to visit.
The city’s Jewish quarter is an area to get lost among taverns, music, and art.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The love and encouragement of my family and partner has been key to being able to continue fighting for my goals.

Website: almudenacastillejo.com

Instagram: @almudenacastillejo

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