Melissa Ávila On Feeling the Rhythm
Project: M.A Studio
Words & Photography: Melissa Ávila
In founding M.A, I fell in love with the opportunity to be more closely connected to nature. Artisanal processes, like the ones we strive to preserve and promote, are linked to the earth, the seasons, their physical context. They are respectful of the natural flow of time and follow its organic rhythms. They are small productions, many of which require slower methods.
These methods are kind to the environment, powered by seasonal change, the weather and harvest. We bathe our clay pieces in the early morning sun for better results. We decide to climb the mountain to collect our materials based on rainfall and the dryness of the ground. We dye our wool with a flower that blossoms in the month of November, and we make sauce for our meals from an insect that completes its life cycle in March.
Listening to the natural world encourages me to listen to my own nature, to be respectful of my personal rhythms and especially my creative rhythm, which is organic, diverse and ever-changing like the seasons. The artisanal traditions synonymous with M.A have taught me to take my time, to distance myself from everyday places and routines, to find moments of silence and solitude as I come up with new ideas. I give my creative process space to breathe.
As I look back at my practice, I have learned to be kinder with the natural pace of my creative energy. In other words, it’s like something we say in Mexico—I pick my battles with my own creative process. This approach allows for the harvest of new tasks, a reformulation of goals and a constant exploration of ways of working. Moving with my own rhythm decreases stress, increases productivity with my art and helps me to better manage my time. I prioritize what is important, namely the projects that move me and efforts towards building something meaningful. I slow down. Sometimes, there is no rush.
The artisanal traditions have taught me to take my time, to distance myself from everyday places and routines, to find moments of silence and solitude as I come up with new ideas.
Melissa Ávila, a multidisciplinary Mexican-American artist, hails from Tijuana and is now based in Mexico City. Her studio M.A combines her own more contemporary practice with traditional techniques. Ávila partners with more than 30 artisans, primarily in Oaxaca and Chiapas, to bring unique handmade pieces, from rugs to pottery, to life. She aims to preserve craftsmanship in Mexico’s native communities by creating new opportunities and income. Ávila’s work has been featured in the likes of the New York Times and Architectural Digest, and her network of both local and international clients continues to grow.
