“Albuquerque is home to me… The landscape here, the amount of space in the desert—that’s something that’s always calmed me.”
Table of Contents
Sara Daniele Rivera, a Cuban/Peruvian artist, writer, translator, and educator from Albuquerque, New Mexico, explores themes of grief, migration, memory, and the boundary between language and silence in her poetry and fiction. Through her drawings, sculptures, and installations, she merges text and space to create socially impactful art, often collaborating with communities to bring moments of curiousity and tenderness to public spaces.
Love for Language
“I’ve always written since I was little,” she shares, reminiscing about her childhood surrounded by books. “I came from a family that loved books, a very literary family, so there were always books everywhere.”
Sara’s upbringing in a bilingual household ignited her fascination with language, leading her to fall in love with the rhythmic sounds of poetry at a young age. Through her teenage years and into adulthood, poetry became more than just words on a page—it became her medium for processing the world and expressing herself. “It was just always part of how I processed the world and how I express myself,” she reflects.
The earliest documentation of Sara at work. Laying on the floor and wearing a ‘little tikes’ helmet, a young Sara uses a pen to write on colored paper.
Poetic Explorations
As Sara delves deeper into her craft, she finds herself drawn to explore themes of grief, both individual and collective. Her upcoming book, born from periods of personal loss, seeks to unravel the intricacies of navigating through moments of sorrow and resilience. “One of the main things that I’m working with is grief—individual grief and collective grief,” she explains. “It was a book that I wrote through periods of grief in my life, so how we individually and communally survive those moments in our lives—that’s something that’s really interesting to me.”
But Sara’s artistic journey doesn’t end with her pen and paper. She is deeply rooted in her community, intertwining her visual arts practice with collaborative projects and teaching endeavors. “Much of my practice, my visual arts practice, and my writing practice, is community-based,” she emphasizes. “I often develop projects through collaborative processes.”
“I’ve always found the art scene here to be very experimental, very DIY.”
Collective Creativity
For Sara, the impact of her art lies not only in personal expression but also in fostering connections within her community. Through her writing and public art projects, she strives to create moments of surprise, beauty, and collective storytelling. “As much as I can continue to connect with people and create moments of surprise and beauty and public art that sort of tell the collective story of Albuquerque—that’s what I’d love to do,” she expresses.
Reflecting on the art scene in Albuquerque, Sara paints a picture of vibrancy and experimentation. “I’ve always found the art scene here to be very experimental, very DIY,” she observes. From collaborating with youth artists to engaging with local nonprofits, Sara is continually inspired by the inventive spirit that permeates the city. “Working with young people here in Albuquerque has been really inspirational to me,” she shares. “I think that the young people here have just an incredible amount of inventiveness.”
Navigating the Terrain
In navigating the ever-evolving landscape of creativity, Sara offers sage advice to fellow artists. “I think as much as you can dig into your personal story and who you are and figure out what really interests you and makes you curious—I think following that in your artwork is sometimes more important than learning techniques,” she advises.
As she continues her artistic journey, Sara remains endlessly curious about the world around her, finding inspiration in the mundane and the extraordinary alike. “I’ve never found that too difficult because I’m just endlessly curious about the world,” she remarks. With an open mind and a thirst for new directions, Sara’s artistic endeavors continue to evolve, leaving an indelible mark on the vibrant tapestry of Albuquerque’s art scene.
In Sara’s world, poetry is more than just words—it’s a conduit for connection, a vessel for storytelling, and a beacon of hope amidst life’s trials and tribulations. As she navigates the winding paths of grief, resilience, and community, Sara’s journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of art in all its forms.
See where Sara’s work is showing next — explore upcoming events on ABQToDo.
Images from Donut Mart and Keywords, two public poetry projects that Sara ran as Creative Director of local art nonprofit Friends of the Orphan Signs. These projects displayed community poetry on unused road signs. More info at orphansigns.org/projects.
Acknowledgments
- Sara Rivera
- Sara Rivera
- Campbell Bishop
- Esparza Advertising
Art Every Day Of The Week
When you start to look, you’ll see art everywhere in Albuquerque. Use this calendar to find an arts and culture event near you. Take a friend, bring your kids, or go on your own. Become a part of the arts and culture community in Albuquerque. You’ll be glad you did.
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