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    Clayground of Ideas: Diana Yesenia Alvarado and the New Ceramics

    How the artist explores her heritage through playful forms and whimsical figures.

    WRITER: Jonathan Velardi PHOTOGRAPHER: Sophia Liv Maguire BTS PHOTOGRAPHY: Diana Yesenia Alvarado
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    Welcome to Los Angeles. Plushy yet solid. Poised yet bashful. Diablito pero angelito—a little devil yet a little angel. Over the course of 10 years, artist Diana Yesenia Alvarado has developed a visual lexicon through the medium of ceramics, juxtaposing fantasy and reality to examine her cultural roots. Y2K, punk and otherworldly motifs are all baked into her mischievous characters and monolithic stone sculptures, commonly referred to as vessels.

    Ahead of Alvarado’s forthcoming collaboration with GOAT and Art Basel Miami Beach, where her work will be translated to functional design for the official uniforms, we reflect on the breakthrough artist’s journey thus far.

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    Alvarado’s characters may resemble domestic cats, but in her mind, they are otherworldly creatures not of this world. “There isn’t one specific mythological story that I’m drawing from. Instead, I try to create my own.”   
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    While exploring an art store in Guadalajara, Alvarado discovered a selection of airbrush color swatches, which have since become a defining element of her fantastical aesthetic.   
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    Ambiguity and interpretation is an important facet of Alvarado’s work. “The characters’ expressions are up to the viewer. My sister says they look sweet and playful; someone else says they're up to something. I love allowing room for possibilities.”   
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    (Top left) ‘Astro Pelirroja,’ a character crafted from glazed stoneware and gold, previously featured in Alvarado’s “Earth Wish” exhibition. (Bottom left) Sketches in pen and pencil. (Right) Drawings for the Art Basel Miami Beach uniform: “Each is an original with subtle differences; they represent resilience, beauty, hope and joy.”   
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    Alvarado’s bespoke designs for Art Basel Miami Beach, which see her creatures transposed to clothing for the first time. “I was very considerate of the placement. I wanted the floral design to flow across the back, drawing attention to the figure's central placement on the jacket.”   

    Shop the GOAT x Diana Yesenia Alvarado for Art Basel Capsule

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    GOAT x Diana Yesenia Alvarado for Art Basel '24/'25 Bag
    GOAT x Diana Yesenia Alvarado for Art Basel 2425 Bag
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    GOAT x Diana Yesenia Alvarado for Art Basel '24/'25 Cropped Polo Shirt
    GOAT x Diana Yesenia Alvarado for Art Basel 2425 Cropped Polo Shirt
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    GOAT x Diana Yesenia Alvarado for Art Basel '24/'25 Anorak
    GOAT x Diana Yesenia Alvarado for Art Basel 2425 Anorak
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    GOAT x Diana Yesenia Alvarado for Art Basel '24/'25 Polo Shirt
    GOAT x Diana Yesenia Alvarado for Art Basel 2425 Polo Shirt
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