Roberto Gil de Montes is one of the two Mexican artists selected by curator Cecilia Alemani for the International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia for titled The Milk of Dreams, joining a list of 213 artists on show this year. SOUTH SOUTH interviewed Gil de Montes to find out more about his practice and work at Venice.
SOUTH SOUTH (SS): For our readers from across different regions who may be being introduced to your work for the first time, how would you describe your approach to art making and the evolution of your practice?
Roberto Gil de Montes (RG): I approach making art through sketching with ink, watercolor, and photography, to produce oil paintings. Sometimes I have a clear idea of what I want to paint, other times I use sketching and photography to explore. Once I have the idea in a sketch, gouache or watercolor I start painting in oil. I usually follow the sketched idea, but I find that if I remain open to changes that may arise as I paint, I am happier with the end result. It is important for me to have the discipline to show up at the studio and to keep a work schedule.