Diego Vergara Mesa, Bogotá, Colombia (1994). Diego has lived in North Carolina, USA since 2003. He is the second artist to receive the grant to attend the electro-etching workshop-residence in Gran Canaria this year, and the youngest artist ever (23) to have received training in these techniques in my studio.
He graduated from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, with a specialisation in Drawing and Printmaking, together with Studies on Women and Gender in 2017. He studied Art History also at the University of Capetown, South Africa, and learned about the pre-colonial / colonial gender construction in South Africa and the intersection between race and gender in the Classics and in contemporary art history. Diego is an artist who considers multidisciplinary art necessary for socially engaged expression. Recently, he promoted Situating Text and Self, a book club that analyzes and locates texts regarding relationships involving gender / sexuality. This project has already had two gallery shows at Greensboro Projet Space.
During his stay in the workshop Diego produced etchings inspired in his social engagement applying the techniques of electrolytic etching. The processes seemed more interesting to him than the ones he learnt and used during his university degree. He learnt how to set up an electro-etching unit, its history and principles. In practice, he etched lines and electrotint with open bite (an electro-etching process that replaces traditional aquatint avoiding its spraying and subsequent melting, both of which processes are perjudicial for the health of printmakers). He also practised the application of graphite ink as resist to etchning lines and tones of electrotint. He worked passive electro-etching on zinc plates, as well as semi-dry electro-etching and galvanized relief lines. I hope this training will help Diego in his future professional career.
Pictures from the workshop
Diego Vergara Mesa speaks about his experience in the workshop-residency
Alfonso's Electro-etching Residency was a fantastic experience and my first art residency abroad! I left the residency with a new love for etching and the motivation to create/explore drawing on print. Alfonso's knowledge of electro-etching and his passion for this alternative method is inspiring. The quality and control of electrotint (alternative electrolytic process to aquatint) on a copper plate is impressive. When Alfonso guided me through my first electrotint, I was shocked that this technique did not use rosin or asphaltum dust and produced an exact value range. The various methods of elctro-etching worked so well for me that I will never go back to traditional methods. In the past, my skin and respiratory illness have been triggered working in print shops that use acids and dangerous chemicals. However, thanks to the inherent safety of electro-etching I was able to work for two consecutive weeks in his studio without compromising my health.
I was sad to leave Alfonso and Amparo's home. I enjoyed reading from Alfonso's art library and learning about all the art projects he has done in the past. They took excellent care of me and gave me a delicious gazpacho and herbs from their garden. At times I felt like they were my family members. It was also a great pleasure to speak in Spanish and learn about each other's cultural differences. I will miss my time in San Felipe and the friendships I made. However, I am very excited to set up an electro-etching unit at home and share this great alternative with my friends and print makers in Greensboro, NC.
Diego Vergara's electro-etchings
More information about Diego Vergara Mesa.