Cynthia Pedrosa (1976)

Cynthia Pedrosa, Du pain et des roses, oil on canva, 2024

Catherine: Hello Cynthia, I am delighted to have you at the Galerie Catherine Pennec. You will be exhibiting here as part of the Lyon Biennale. Tell us a bit about the inspiration behind your works for this exhibition, "Tea or Coffee?".

Cynthia: Hello Catherine, thank you for having me. For this exhibition, I wanted to explore human relationships through simple yet meaningful moments of life, like the exchange around a cup of tea or coffee. These moments of sharing and dialogue are, for me, the very symbol of hospitality and connection.

Catherine: Is your work inspired by your experiences as an educator and sociologist?

Cynthia: Absolutely. My experience with adults in difficulty has taught me the importance of listening and welcoming without judgment. This is the philosophy I try to convey in my paintings. Each character I represent is an invitation to consider the other in all their complexity and uniqueness.

Catherine: You have mentioned Toni Morrison as a major influence. How is that reflected in your art?

Cynthia: Morrison talks about empowering characters and loving them for their humanity. In my works, I try to capture that essence by focusing on the inner lives of the characters, allowing them to express themselves freely. I want viewers to feel this deep, intimate connection with each subject.

Catherine: In your opinion, how do your works engage in dialogue with those of Ivan de la Rionda in this exhibition?

Cynthia: Ivan and I explore similar themes through different artistic approaches. His works reflect on everyday reality, as do mine, but he uses abstraction to reveal hidden truths, while I prefer to focus on individual and social dynamics. The dialogue is created in this tension between the abstract and the concrete, between the silence of abstraction and the voice of the characters.

Catherine: What aspects of his work resonate most with yours?

Cynthia: I particularly appreciate the way Ivan manages to transform mundane scenes of life into something deeply poetic and evocative. This aligns with my own desire to make ordinary moments powerful visual narratives. Our works can complement each other by inviting visitors to see the everyday from different perspectives, both figurative and abstract.

Catherine: What message do you wish to convey to the visitors of this exhibition?

Cynthia: I hope visitors will take the time to pause and really look at each work, allowing themselves to be touched by the silent stories I tell. I invite everyone to bring their own experiences and interpretations, because it is in this exchange that art finds its true meaning.

Catherine: That's a very engaging vision. Finally, what does participating in an exhibition like this, in resonance with the Lyon Biennale, mean to you?

Cynthia: It is an incredible opportunity to be part of an event that celebrates art in all its forms and highlights such universal themes as hospitality. I am honored to be able to contribute to this global dialogue through my paintings.

Catherine: Thank you very much, Cynthia. We are excited to share your vision with our audience, and we look forward to seeing the impact your works will have on our visitors.