10 Questions with Taviana Climaco
Taviana Unx is a Queer and Hispanic artist currently based in Milwaukee, WI. Taviana has been creating art ever since the day they were born. Eventually, they attended the Milwaukee High School of the Arts, majoring in creative writing and art. Since graduating, Taviana has continued to explore art and all of its mediums, even going as far as to make their own brand Angelic Rage, as well as being a part of multiple zines, vending events, and galleries. Currently, they are pursuing college, majoring in art therapy.
Taviana Unx - Portrait
ARTIST STATEMENT
Taviana Unx’s main focus within their art is creating discussion about serious and taboo topics such as mental health and trauma. With their use of light colours and ethereal imagery, they enjoy being able to bring a focus to these heavy topics, yet create the illusion of otherwise, being able to not only draw the viewer in, but also get rid of the stigma that all “sad or dark art” has to use dark colours.
Survival To Not Succumb, Digital, 2022 © Taviana Unx
INTERVIEW
Let's start from the beginning. When did you first realise that creating art was something you wanted to pursue as a career?
I always knew I wanted to be involved in the arts scene since I was young. I was a very theatrical kid. Growing up on performances of me reenacting The Wizard of Oz or the news, even. It wasn't until my senior year of high school, when I started to feel more confident in my art, that I could really see myself being involved in the art scene. The more I put my own style into the creative process, my soul even, is when I started to feel like "whoa maybe this is for me! Maybe I can make something of myself and show the world my passion!".
How has growing up in Milwaukee and attending Milwaukee High School of the Arts shaped your artistic journey?
Milwaukee is filled with so much underrated talent. Growing up, I got to see a lot of that. My Papa would always take me to all these really cool galleries at Alverno (a college here in Milwaukee) and music festivals that showcased all these small artists. Some local, some from all over! Being able to witness so much of the local creativity at such a young age simply fueled this fire in me; I wanted to see more! The more I explored the city and got to hear and meet other creatives here, the more it showed me how incredibly talented a city we have!
Attending MHSA was a dream for me, as it was my dream high school. Watching shows like Glee and Victorious as a teen, I yearned to be surrounded by others who saw the arts as their passion. Being able to be surrounded by like-minded individuals and uplifting teachers helped me not only want to grow more, but also inspired me a lot.
I originally went in as a creative writing major. So when I double majored in art, I remember being scared that I was turning my back on my original major. My classmates were always very sweet and supportive about it, as well as my teacher Ms.Moran! She, amongst other teachers, encouraged me to carry on with what I love, and pushed me in a lot ofways creatively. I still bask in those days when I could write and draw for hours of the day. It was a very hectic period ofmy life, but being at school made things feel at peace for me.
Swan Song, Colored Pencil, 9x6 in, 2024 © Taviana Unx
What role does your identity as a Queer and Hispanic artist play in your work?
I try to not just incorporate parts of me in my art, but all of me. For example, a couple of pieces I have made over the years showcase characters with half short and half long hair. A detail that is overlooked but has so much meaning to me.
Growing up, I was taught that my long hair was a huge symbol of femininity as a Hispanic girl. My dad never let me cut my hair; it was almost like asking for punishment had I done so. I was around 10 when I had my first major hair chop. I felt like I was unlocking this new version of me. Eventually, as I discovered my identity more, my short hair became a symbol of rebellion for old traditional values that I didn't quite get as a kid. Values that made me feel small.
Being queer has influenced my work in more ways than I could name. But for the most part, it has given me an outlet to speak on things I felt so silenced to share growing up. Being nonbinary, it is hard to be taken seriously as is. I still feel at times my own culture fails to acknowledge that I am still me, I just don't feel the need to label myself as a woman or man.Art gives me a safe place to discuss these things. I don't need to worry about pleasing my elders, or pissing anyone off about who I am, I can just be me.
I enjoy showcasing these parts of me to others who may feel similarly. I want queer Hispanics to feel seen and heard. Just because I or we do not match this traditional ideal and or stereotype. It doesn't make us less of who we are.
Can you tell us a bit about your decision to study art therapy and how it connects to your creative practice?
Originally, I wanted to study art education. Unfortunately, under the current system, I fear for arts funding and education throughout the US. To also add to the mix, I'm not so huge on curriculum to inspire people to create. To me, art should be more than painted hand prints and holiday art. I'm really big on talking about mental health and how art can help those.The more I looked into it, the more I felt like art therapy might be my calling.
As fun as it is to inspire through art, helping others find a safe outlet to express themselves emotionally is everything to me. As someone who has been saved by art more than once, I want others to have that too.
You work across many mediums and even started your own brand, Angelic Rage. What inspired you to create it?
Angelic Rage started with my newfound love for creating jewellery! During the pandemic, a friend of mine got me intothe hobby. It eventually led to me creating so much jewellery and posting about it, folks wanted to wear it! For a while, I don't think I even had a name for my brand. Putting a label on it made it feel real, something I think to this day I am still in shock about.
Angelic Rage was created with this idea of how I view myself, my emotions, and how others view me. Angelic because I am always seen as this very sweet, cutesy person. I mean, even my work at first glance is very sweet-looking. But underneath all that cuteness is a lot of pent-up anger. That's where rage comes in. It's a bit contradictory, but I have always liked that about what I create. People think that things like the heavens and hells can only exist apart, but in reality, there is a world where these places align. I like to challenge that narrative a lot.
Born To Suffer And Endure, Colored Pencil and Ink, 9x6 in, 2024 © Taviana Unx
Untitled, Colored Pencil, 9x6 in, 2024 © Taviana Unx
Your art often explores topics like mental health and trauma. Why is it important for you to start conversations about these subjects?
I feel like a lot of times these topics are overlooked. We still live in an age where these topics are very taboo, even no one wants to discuss others' pain, let alone their own. I want these topics to become normal. It strips away the mask that we aren't robots, but humans!
I think, growing up, had I been challenged to talk about my emotions more, I wouldn't be so afraid to do so as an adult.It's about breaking these generational curses in a way. Ripping the band-aid off and actually healing and putting in the work to communicate. When we don't, all it does is project and harm others.
You use light colours and ethereal imagery to talk about heavy themes. What draws you to this contrast?
In high school, I became very entranced by the subgenre of fashion, yami kawaii. Yami Kawaii translates to "sickly cute". Overall, Yami Kawaii is a mix of darker-themed and cute elements within fashion. I could go on for hours about my love for fashion and such, but in short, I was extremely inspired by it.
With that, I started thinking more about my art as a whole. What did I want my main takeaway to be? I like causing conversation. Although I can surely do this just off my topics of choice, let alone. I wanted there to be this process of thought from the viewer that, for example, the colour blue doesn't always have to mean sadness. I enjoy the themes of contradiction a lot. It creates this balance within me that I can't help but want to showcase.
I want people to see how "cute" things can be either "scary" or just seem deeper. There is so much more to colours like pink, violet, and so on. We, as a society, stereotype these colours or items and associate them with feelings of joy and purity. Adding heavy imagery to mix in with these colours really gets people thinking that maybe we don't need to assume or just add a "happy feeling" to these colours/things just because society says so.
Untitled, Colored Pencil and Ink, 8x11 in, 2024 © Taviana Unx
How do you hope people feel when they see your work?
I hope to create a feeling of not only security, but also safety, like a child being cradled in their mother's arms. Art has always been this safe haven for me. I want that same heaven to start forming within my viewer's mind. Although my art covers such heavy topics, I hope others see that and feel less alone.
Art is like this secret hidden language. We don't all learn it, but when we do, slowly yet surely, its beauty speaks a language unlike any other.
Looking ahead, are there any new projects, mediums, or themes you're excited to explore next?
Oh gosh, art is like an oyster to me! I want to explore it all! Currently, I am looking into incorporating more mixed media in my art! I got really into sewing on my canvas and adding beads. I'd also love to incorporate my poetry more as well as more of my identity. I do want to continue discussing heavier topics that may get overlooked. Although these topics can be a lot, I believe creating discussion around them will help heavy topics seem less taboo.
And lastly, where do you see yourself and your work in five years from now?
Hopefully in more galleries! I'd love to do more interviews and be featured in more zines, magazines, and books! Besides that, I think just creating in the most vulnerable ways possible and sharing that with the world.
I am excited to start school and whatever adventures that may lead to. Eventually, I plan to move out of state and continue spreading my love for the arts with others!
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.
