Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriel Sosa.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born into a Cuban family in Miami and raised by my mother and grandparents in “La Saugüecera,” as the southwest section of town is known to many locals. After graduating from New World School of the Arts, I studied philosophy at Boston University and subsequently worked for BU’s offices in Madrid. I came back to Boston in 2009, when I became a court-certified interpreter. Since then, I have served as an interpreter on thousands of criminal and civil cases. Seeking to explore the issues I encounter on a daily basis more incisively, I earned an M.F.A. from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts in 2016. Today, my work as an interpreter and my work as an artist complement and strengthen each other. Some of my recent exhibitions have included Please interrupt if you don’t understand at A R E A Gallery and El Acercamiento at the Central Cultural Español in Miami. Earlier this year, I was an artist-in-residence at the Santa Fe Art Institute.
Please tell us about your art.
My practice incorporates drawing, installation, sound, and video, as well as workshops that integrate language access and the visual arts. I draw upon my experiences as a Cuban-American and as a court interpreter to explore various topics, including memory, translation, and social justice. I am especially interested in imperfection – in the pitfalls of translation and in the malleability of memory. In the courtroom, I regularly hear multiple versions of the same event from different witnesses. Despite the variations, each witness remains convinced of the accuracy of their recollection. Similarly, when I’ve done research with my family in Cuba, each relative has a different narrative of the same event. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, but to what extent do those memories become the speaker’s truth, regardless of how unreliable those memories may be? I am captivated by how these narratives transform over time and what role language plays in shaping, preserving, and conveying those memories.
I am also interested in the human stories in the justice system that all too often remain invisible. Years ago, I created a series of drawings inspired by letters written by the family and friends of defendants. Defense attorneys compile these letters with the objective of presenting them to a judge in order to portray their clients’ humanity. The letters are unequivocally visceral and heartfelt, and I hope that those who engage with my work come away with a greater awareness of that poignancy – of the personal, intimate stories that exist where we might not expect them to.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
I think that depends on the nature of your work. I often collaborate with other people, and I can’t say that I’ve ever felt lonely as an artist. I believe that the most important way to build community is for artists to get in touch with other artists whose work they admire. See their shows, write to them, visit their studios. And, Boston is an especially exciting and innovative place to do that. If you perceive a particular dialogue between your work and someone else’s, turn it into a real one.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can follow me on Instagram @studiogabrielsosa, where I document works in progress as well as announce upcoming events and exhibitions. If you visit my website, www.gabrielsosa.com, you can sign up for my newsletter. I also have a studio in Somerville. If you’d like to visit, I’d love to have you! You can get in touch with me through my site or through Instagram. You can support my work by sharing it on social media, talking to your friends about it, or coming to an exhibition!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gabrielsosa.com
- Instagram: studiogabrielsosa
Image Credit:
For the profile photo: Anibal Martel.
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