The illusion tricks of little masterpieces
- Fátima creates miniature paintings and sculptures as well as jewellery
- She uses a combination of traditional and digital techniques to produce her pieces
- She works with natural pigments, low-impact varnishes and biodegradable filaments
Fátima Doña Molinero is a fine arts graduate from Granada, the historic city of the Alhambra. She transformed her passion for art into a profession when she left her office job to pursue her true vocation: miniature craftsmanship. In 2017, Fátima established her studio, where she not only produces exceptionally tiny pieces, such as paintings, frames, sculptures and aquariums, but also crafts jewellery. Her technical approach is a combination of traditional techniques and modern-day technology, such as 3D printing. "I am grateful for my rich Andalusian heritage and for the possibilities to explore, experiment and, above all, learn," says Fátima. She aims to preserve and reinvent the art of miniatures. "I am interested in exploring new forms without losing the link with what precedes us," she says.
Interview
- How is your work linked to Granada, the city where you live?
- With its history, confluence of cultures and rich craft tradition, my city is inseparable from my work. Its Iberian, Phoenician and Roman past, the Alhambra, the legacy of Al-Andalus, the flamenco, the luthiers who still make guitars with an exceptional sound, and all the artisans who preserve ancestral techniques. All of these elements have deeply nourished my imagination.
- What life lesson have you learnt from your craft?
- I have learnt the importance of perseverance and dedication. Each piece demands the best of me: time, attention, sensitivity. In the long run, it is this silent dedication that connects with the viewer in the deepest way. Delicacy and craftsmanship done well end up being the greatest strength.
- Do you want to convey a message through your work?
- Each work is born in a particular moment and carries a unique message. But perhaps the common thread is contemplation: to stop, to open your gaze, to let time stand still. I am interested in the dialogue between different scales, styles and periods. I seek to provoke astonishment, to evoke questions, to activate the imagination.
- What aspect of your craft often surprises people?
- What surprises people most is the scale I work to. The miniature makes more of an impact when held up close, in that intimate moment when the viewer discovers the details. It is also surprising that there is such a specialised community of collectors, museums and international fairs, dedicated exclusively to miniature art.
Fátima Doña Molinero is a rising star: she began her career in 2017 and she started teaching in 2017
Where
Fátima Doña Molinero
