Tania Marmolejo Andersson was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (1975). Influenced by her Scandinavian and Caribbean heritage, she studied Graphic Design and Illustration in Norway. She returned to the Dominican Republic to study Fine Arts at the Altos de Chavón School of Design. She received the Bluhdorn Scholarship in 1998 and continued her studies at Parsons The New School for Design in New York, graduating from Fine Arts and Illustration in 2000.
She resides in New York, where she is devoted full-time to her artistic practice.
What personal traits and practices have contributed to your perseverance as an artist?
I don’t give up easily, I like hard work (or am not afraid of it), I believe in my capabilities, — and I’m disciplined!
Can you share your journey to creating paintings that tap into women’s emotions?
I was always a character artist, it started when I designed characters for animation and naturally continued into my more personal art. I like painting expressions, and since the stories and moments I wanted to paint were my own, naturally a female point of view began. Even though I am inspired by my own stories, once the work is put out there it becomes (or I hope it becomes) someone else’s personal story.
How has your cultural and family background influenced your work?
I am of Scandinavian and Caribbean heritage, and both have been strong influences — from the colors I use (which can sometimes be muted, inspired by Scandinavian paintings and art) and sometimes can be very colorful — where my Caribbean background kicks into the themes, which are usually about my time spent both in the Dominican Republic and Sweden.
What is your creative process for producing work?
I do not sketch beforehand, so usually, it is a completely spontaneous painting, something I will come up with in the moment. Very expressionistic. I then don’t stop painting until the general feeling and painting is set, and that can take a full day to several days of doing little else.
Who are some historical female artists and artists currently living that inspire you?
Artemisia Gentileschi, Käthe Kollwitz, Frida Kahlo, Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo, Dorothea Tanning, Helen Frankenthaler, Elaine De Kooning, Joan Mitchell…many more. Mostly female artists from past art history more than artists today.
How would you like your artwork to influence the next generation of women in the arts?
I think just making it in the art world is a chance for other girls and women to feel they can too, and that they can make something highly personal and different — have their own voice.
What progress would you like to see in the art world for female artists?
More female artists in museums. It’s starting, but there are so many amazing women artists in all these museum basements still, that no one has heard of…it’s time to show them to the world.
Is there an institutional collection that would be meaningful for you to be in?
“Important” collections or belonging to institutional collections is not something I think about much or strive for when I paint. If one picks up my work — then fabulous of course — but it does not drive my art.
Which part of the art ecosystem excites you the most for the future of your practice?
I like traveling — exploring the world and having exhibitions in new countries. Traveling is a chance to be inspired by new surroundings, history, and stories. That definitely excites me and is a key factor in choosing where I exhibit and what new projects I take on. Also, galleries with a great reputation. I enjoy the collaboration process and usually remain friends with the galleries. It’s a lovely way to go through life.
