In the studio: Débora Delmar

London-based artist Débora Delmar talks about her roaming studio practice, projects that she is currently working, and the inspiration behind her Liberty Roses works that are part of our exhibition Magnus Frederik Clausen, Débora Delmar, Laurent Dupont.

 

SSM: Where do you feel most at home?

DD: The current apartment I live in in London and the home I grew up in in Mexico City.

 

 

SSM: Do you remember the first exhibition that left an impression on you?

DD: Rirkrit Tiravanija's show Transmissions at Serpentine Gallery, which was a replica of his New York apartment. There aren't many images online, but I did find this video:

 

 

SSM: Are you currently working on an exhibition?

DD: Yes, at Stanley Picker Gallery in London.

 

 

SSM: Your two Liberty Roses works in our show were inspired by Liberty's classic Carline Rose print. How did the famed department store become a starting point for your work?

DD: I have lived in London since 2017, when I moved to attend the Postgraduate Programme at the Royal Academy of Arts, located within walking distance from Liberty's Tudor-style building. Last year, I applied for British citizenship and had to pass the Life in the UK exam, which includes questions that can vary from British history to popular culture, sports, or the intricate legal system within the UK. One of the questions included in the test asked about the flower of England, which is the (Tudor) Rose.

 

 

SSM: Do you have a favourite flower?

DD: I'm more interested in flower arrangements.

 

 

SSM: You've discussed about living somewhat of a roaming studio practice. Where do you mostly work from?

DD: Many of my works stem from conversations and negotiations with the galleries and institutions where I exhibit. However, my everyday life and personal experiences also play an important role in my work.

 

SSM: In 2009, you started working under the moniker Débora Delmar Corp. How did that come about and when did you change it?

DD: Debora Delmar Corp. was founded in NYC whilst I was attending School of Visual Arts in New York. I held many exhibitions under this enterprise including a solo exhibition titled Upward Mobility at Modern Art Oxford in 2015 and the 9th Berlin Biennial curated by dis in 2016. I finally decided to change it in 2017 when I moved to the UK.

 

 

SSM: Can you tell us something that we don't know about you?

DD: Als ich zehn Jahre alt war, habe ich in Stuttgart gewohnt. Ich bin auf eine deutsche Schule in Mexiko gegangen und habe auch ein Abitur.

 

 

SSM: What are you excited about in 2024?

DD: Work and travel. I spend most of my time in London, but I'm currently in Mexico City where I will be giving an artist lecture at SOMA and I'm looking forward to my lecture at Städelschule in Frankfurt this May. I’m also very excited to visit Cyprus for the first time for my residency at Koraï this autumn. One of the things I’m mostly looking forward to is continuing to work on my fellowship project and exhibition at Stanley Picker Gallery, which will open in 2025.

 

SSM: Is there an artwork from art history that best describes your personality?

DD: My own works do.