10 Questions with Rodrigo Alpizar Sánchez

Rodrigo Alpizar Sánchez - Portrait

Rodri is a Mexican, Muslim emerging artist, lawyer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist living in Dubai. He was born in Mexico City in 1994, a year of light, and he grew up with a great passion for Rock Music, learning to play the guitar and the drums. He later became a Lawyer, graduating from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, and a Manager, graduating from the Universidad Latinoamericana. After a tough Law career, he joined the Illustrious and National College of Lawyers of Mexico to consolidate the base of his career as an Attorney belonging to the first and most prestigious Bar in the country.

A vision came to his mind that inspired the creation of ®QALB, so he moved to Dubai in 2023 to make it happen. He aims to help people in Mexico's courts while pursuing a career as a famous artist. To achieve this, he moved to the U.A.E., brought his guitar, and began developing his skills. He has visions and brings them into reality; it's about raising others' hearts through Rock.

www.elrodrigo.com

ARTIST STATEMENT

Rodri Maguchi Collection is my new creation, forming part of a diverse artistic display of the "Islamic Rock" style created by Rodri. © RODRI MAGUCHI portrays a unique and deep approach to the feelings of the current era in the Middle East. I see things, and rock art happens, almost like a painting. "MAGUCHI" means powerful in Russian.

INTERVIEW

First of all, introduce yourself to our readers. Who are you, and how did you first get interested in art?

You can call me Rodri, I am an emerging artist living in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. I came close to art through a very deep perspective I found in photography. I am also a musician; I play the guitar.

You were born in Mexico City and now live in Dubai. How has this journey shaped you as both a person and an artist?

Well, moving to Dubai was a step I took to grow as a person and as an artist. I noticed that people from all around the world were moving here. It is a city that is waking up to a new era. Knowing new people and places in a waking cityopens your eyes to other realms. It is not about shaping somebody but realising true identity.

You studied law and even became part of Mexico's most prestigious Bar. What made you take the leap from law into art?

My dream, since I was 13 years old, was to become an artist. I grew up in a family of prestigious doctors. I learned to play the guitar and followed the "real life agenda" until I graduated from college as a lawyer. I simultaneously tried to create many Rock Bands while attending to legal cases. Something inside of me brought me back to art. I still attend my legal cases from a distance.

Rock music has been a big part of your life. How does music influence your artistic creations?

I always think about dreams and illusions, even real life as a movie, as a work of art. Everything is happening with music in the background. I loved listening to music and imagining different situations, such as playing the guitar in the background for the one I loved. I guess I've somehow learned how to photograph these things. I get really inspired by the sound of the electric guitar.

You describe your style as "Islamic Rock." Can you tell us what this means to you and how it translates into your work?

I am a converted Muslim; I found the inspiration to push through my mind and try to bring my imagination to reality. Since I visited the East side of the world, I got to know special people, and found the mystic realm of Islam. And I foundagain the power of music, as a way of love and peace.

What role does your faith and identity as a Muslim play in your creative process?

Being a Muslim plays a crucial part in the creative process for me as I try each day to reach for the heavens in prayer. I also seek to share with others what is in my mind, what I feel and become each day a better version of myself.

You talk about raising people's hearts through Rock. What kind of feelings or messages do you hope people take away from your art?

I hope people will notice a mystic realm, identify with the inspiration behind the artworks, and feel or perceive a channel of intuition.

How do you balance your life as a lawyer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and now emerging artist?

I have to coordinate myself very well, schedule times and stay focused. It is a group of tasks meant to be done and perfected day by day.

Moving to Dubai in 2023 was a big step. What opportunities or inspirations have you found here that you couldn't find in Mexico?

It is more about the inspiration of leaving the place I was born in to find a New World on the eastern side of the World. See the other side of the movie.

Looking ahead, what are your dreams for yourself and your career as an artist?

I want to push through with my commercial activism project. As a famous musician, I help vulnerable people through the legal aspect, sell a lot of T-shirts, and buy a bunch of guitars and a limousine to ride with my friends in Dubai.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.

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