Artist Spotlight: Roberta Marrero

Roberta Marrero uses appropriation with complete abandon. Her artwork often looks as if it was done in a frenzied trance. If you go to her website or her Facebook page, you will see her output is enormous and frantic. She doesn't just borrow images, she makes shrines to them, reliquaries of glamor and sex appeal. And yet even her quick sketches feel as if she is in total control as she imbues them with opinion and irony.

The Advocate: How did you come to be an artist?
Roberta Marrero: I learned to draw before I could write. I studied art in Spain and I have always been involved in arts in general. I made a movie, I recorded two albums as a singer, I have been writing for different magazines, etc. In 2007 I started to work on my art again, and since 2009 it is the only thing I do.

Tell us about your early influences growing up?
John Waters, Russ Meyer, punk, new wave, Classic Hollywood, pop art, Gothic, Catholic imagery ...

Which artist, living or dead, would you most like to collaborate with and why?
Andy Warhol. The way art is today is because of him; his influence is massive and I adore his work, especially the sinister pieces like the disasters or the Jackies. A lot of people think that Warhol is just a repetition of something in different colors, but he was a true visionary.

You can see more of Roberta's work on her website, Facebook page, and Tumblr page.

Click through the following pages for some camp ecstasy.>>>

La melancolia del siglo XX en 3D

Men in Love

Joan Crawford as David Bowie II

Saint Sebastian, Number Two

Divine Meets Roy Lichtenstein, Number Two

Definicion de nada o viaje a los suenos polares

Jerarquia

Angels of Death

Colour by Numbers

Sins

Atrevete y hazlo

Coven

Definicion de guapo o Carlos baila

God Knows

Knowledge, Number 8

Double Joan (My Elvis Number 9)

Joe Before Warhol

Let His Light Light Your Way, II

Picasso Meets Divine, Number 2

San Miguel Luchando Contra El Demonio

Big Bang

Stars Are Never Sleeping

The Veil of Veronica