Yael Medrez Pier, is a 29-year-old young Mexican artist born in Mexico City who has shown her passion for music through painting, especially metal. He studied the realistic drawing and painting career for four years at Arts Students League of New York and four years of figurative sculpture in clay and stone.
His specialty is realism, and he has managed to represent various metal artists, achieving his recognition, in addition, having his own style when modifying portraits with transfiguration, corrosion and mutations of faces.
First of all, tell us about your career with painting.
Toda la vida he sido artística, desde niña me gustaba hacer cosas creativas; a partir de mi adolescencia empecé a tomar algunas clases de dibujo. Cuando terminé la preparatoria fui un año a Israel a una escuela de artes plásticas y filosofía, donde comenzó mi deseo de convertir esta pasión en una profesión. Regresé a México por un año y fui aceptada a la carrera de dibujo y pintura realista en la academia de arte “Art Students League of NY” en New York con una duración de 4 años. Al terminar la carrera me ofrecieron una beca para estudiar la maestría en escultura figurativa en piedra y barro con una duración de 3 años y decidí quedarme. Al concluir mis 7 años de estudio en NY, decidí regresar con mi esposo a México y establecerme como artista mexicana. Era muy importante para mi alejarme del arte académico y buscar mi propia visión. Abrí mi estudio en mi casa y desde entonces no he dejado de pintar y dibujar todos los días. Ya son tres años desde que regresé, he experimentado en diferentes técnicas y temas, hice dos murales masivos, uno en la central de abastos y el otro en el museo de fotografía 4 caminos, he desarrollado diferentes series; la que mas he disfrutado hacer y mas orgullo me ha traído es la serie de músicos metaleros, pero también he creado otras series donde me he adentrado en un mundo alterno de realismo mágico. Espero poder seguir pintando con esa misma energía para crear y seguir inspirando al mundo.
Why choose to make art by influential musicians on metal? Tell us about that passion
Metal music is part of my essence. Since I was 14 years old I am a metalhead, I accidentally discovered metal with Iron Maiden, Metallica and Nightwish and from that moment my life was transformed. It is a genre that caused such passion in me, it gives more intensity to my life. Over the years I was discovering and admiring great bands and musicians. As a painter there is no greater form of rapport with a human being than by portraying him, my desire to connect with these musicians and their creation that I admire so much led me to create this series of paintings and drawings where I take these characters to planes of my subconscious; some more real, others surreal. With the intention of exalting the musical world to the picturesque world. Some examples of musicians that I have included in this series are: Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead), Ronnie James Dio, James Hetfield (Metallica), Kerry King and Tom Araya (Slayer), Max Cavalera, Shagrath (Dimmu Borgir), Phil Anselmo (Pantera ), Johan Hegg (Amon Amarth) and many more to mention.
You have a technique that leaves your own stamp, capturing in oil the portrait of a musician to make some three-dimensional modifications. How did that idea come about?
Indeed. In many of the portraits he used corrosion, mutations and transfiguration. These techniques are part of my identity as an artist, one does not propose it, they are part of the artist's DNA. They are intended to teach the constant metamorphosis of the human being. The fragmentation of my characters is the way in which I manage to reconcile the complexity of the human condition with the perpetual need for transformation that existence forces us to survive.
At the moment, you have achieved recognition from various musicians you have painted, tell us what contribution you want to make with your art in the metal industry
I am very excited to have received recognition from some musicians and bands that I paint such as Nergal, Gary Holt, Tom Araya, Kerry King, Rex Brown, Lord Ahriman, Mastodon, Suicidal Trends, Soulfly, Dimmu Borgir. My contribution is really to inspire the world; that there is a deeper appreciation of the genre. Especially influencing the younger generations, to stop listening to trash like reggaeton, rap, etc.
Tell us about your next artistic projects
Además de ser pintora, soy cantante y estoy muy emocionada de anunciar que estoy grabando con mi nueva banda de metal Symphonico “Zohar” nuestro LP que estará listo este próximo año. Se van a quedar impresionados! Eso les aseguro!! Así que estén al pendiente
As an artist, what are your short, medium and long-term plans?
A corto plazo: quiero entrar a más galerías y ferias de arte internacionales, y tener una exposición grande de una de mis series mas recientes, También terminar con mi banda “Zohar” nuestro LP para ya lanzarlo en Spotify y en otras redes sociales y darnos a conocer. A plazo Mediano: quiero que mi obra siempre mantenga un nivel de calidad excelsa, y que siempre sea innovador en conceptos y técnica con el fin de que tenga un Impacto emocional sobre la humanidad, esto requiere más exposiciones en galerías importantes así como museos. Poder vender más en subastas, y en colecciones privadas importantes. En mi carrera musical ser invitada a tocar con “Zohar” en un festival de metal muy importante como Wacken, Hellfest o Graspop y que sea bien recibida por el público. A plazo largo: que mi obra asi cómo mi música sea reconocida mundialmente y que sea trascendente en la vida de las personas y del tiempo por venir.
Where can we buy your art? Do you make commissions?
You can buy my work directly with me and I also do commissioned work, You can contact me by mail yaelmedresh@gmail.com or on Instagram @yaelmedrezpier
What advice would you give to all the artists who are reading you to fulfill their dreams? What has worked for you?
Most people don't realize the amount of time and energy it takes to become a professional at something requires years of hard work. This with the mix of doing what you love is what has served me.
Follow Yael through Instagram, Facebook and in his Web page for more information and classes!
