Reclaimed wood and scrap metal objects from local salvage yards and alleyways are the bases of artist, Monica Robles’, recycled artwork.
“I love to create work that is visually stimulating and rich with texture,” Robles said. “Reclaimed wood has a lot of character and it feels like it has a story of its own that I love to expose and work with.”
Robles took the initial leap of faith into the downtown Phoenix art scene when she collaboratively launched The Lab on Roosevelt Row in September 2011. From that point on, Robles has been constantly creating and working in the Phoenix art community.
Couture in the Suburbs was able to catch up with the repurposing artist for today’s featured artist for Arizona Art Reimagined.
What made you decide to become an artist?
As a young child I taught myself to sketch and draw by copying photos out of my parents’ magazines. I wasn’t surrounded by art growing up so I wasn’t encouraged to pursue any art classes and once I was in high school, I stepped away from sketching and drawing and focused on studying advanced math, which I truly did enjoy. It wasn’t until I began school at the University of Arizona that I would find myself returning to my passion of art. One of my professors told me about an army surplus junkyard off of the freeway and that’s when my mind exploded with creative ideas. Walking into that scrap yard, I saw these rusty military tanks, helicopters, and emergency vehicles. My eyes lit up. I walked around collecting gauges, meters, schematics, and metal pieces falling off an old vehicle that is when my love for used/recycled objects began.
What do you enjoy the most about being an artist?
I get to work with my hands and create art with objects that have been discarded by others and I can work for hours without feeling drained. I don’t feel like it is work at all, which is something that we all strive for. I feel that recycled art encourages others to think differently about how and why we acquire objects and perhaps think twice about throwing something away. I think once you are exposed to recycled art, it also sparks the creative mind because now you have this seed, and when you see something you pause and think about what it could be next. By creating something new with something old, you give it a new life and make it into a functional piece, you reduce waste and that is meaningful.
Table created by Monica Robles
Does your own personal sense of place find its way into your work?
As downtown Phoenix becomes a more desirable place to work and play, historic/older buildings are constantly being threatened and despite the protests of the artists and residents that made our community desirable, most buildings are razed to make room for modern development. Old buildings tell stories they add charm and are valuable for many reasons. They were constructed with higher-quality materials such as rare hardwoods and wood from old-growth forests that no longer exist. Many of them have unique architecture and are really beautiful and impressive, which make their destruction even more heartbreaking. I like to drive around to look at what is being built around our neighborhood and most importantly to see what they are throwing away. I also get calls from friends telling me they are tearing down a building or home. I source my projects from materials from some of those buildings. So I feel it’s important to reclaim material as much as I can to transform them to functional art pieces. I see and acknowledge the value of those buildings and this is my way of preserving them.
Pieces from Robles’ “Geometree” show
Upcycling seems to be at a tidal wave pace right now. Do you prefer to ride that wave, or have you been riding it long before they had a name for it?
I’ve been upcyling for a while now and I will continue to create. I think that upcycling was born out of necessity and as we have collectively learned to value older things it has evolved into a form of preservation and I don’t see that going away soon. People are finding innovative ways to reuse items and recycle to create a better future. I’m happy that it is a trend. People are more aware that you don’t have to start from scratch and spend money on ‘new’ things. I have found so much ‘junk’ in alleyways that I continue to use in my furniture and artwork.
Do you feel differently today about throwing away things than you did 10 years ago?
Yes, back then I didn’t have the inspiration I have now. I thought about objects differently. I now have a vision and get inspired by looking at something. I have access to tools and equipment and a space to create. I put more thought into what a ‘thing’ could become because the function of something doesn’t need to end when it doesn’t work for the design theme of a room or when one part of it breaks. One of my regrets is not keeping my dad’s old tools after he passed away. I could have given them another life.
My art is unique from others because…
it’s turning “junk” into a one of a kind piece of art.
Pieces from Robles’ “Geometree” show
Robles’ next show is in May at the newly opened Song Bird Coffee & Tea House located in downtown Phoenix. Robles’ studio is located at 1022 NW Grand Avenue, Phoenix, AZ.
