Yaimel López Zaldívar

Our global them in May is 'revival' which is the perfect lens through which to showcase the creativity story of Cuban-Canadian multimedia artist and educator Yaimel López Zaldívar.

Zaldívar's artistic practice spans experimental animation, print media, graphic design, and illustration. Since arriving in Vancouver in 2019, Yaimel has actively collaborated with local cultural organizations, including the Vancouver Latin-American Film Festival (VLAFF), Vancouver Latin-American Cultural Centre (VLACC), and Vancouver Foundation. His artwork has been showcased in numerous exhibitions, most notably in the Vancouver Art Gallery’s recent triennial, Vancouver Special: Disorientations and Echo. Yaimel’s works have been featured in various publications and are included in the Burnaby Art Gallery’s permanent collection. He continually seeks creative exploration, embracing experimentation and viewing mistakes as opportunities for growth and discovery.

Each month we ask our speaker some probing questions to give us a deeper glimpse into their life and relationship with creativity:

How do you define and apply creativity in your life and career?
As a Cuban raised on the island, creativity has always been a part of my life, even if I didn't realize it. I tend to look for the best way to solve a problem, and even when I have a solution in front of me, I must admit that I find attractive finding alternatives solutions. One day I spent an entire afternoon building and mobile older for my desk, to find out later that I could buy one at the dollar store. My career is basically the same, I feel that I have done quite a lot as an artist in terms of exploration and experimentation. Something that I do enjoy a lot is to take whatever I have in front of me and create with it. I don’t see any limitations in my working process that stop me to keep trying and accepting “mistakes” as an opportunity to grow.

Where do you find your best creative inspiration or energy?
I'm committed to my career as a creator. At some point in your artistic life, you realize there's no turning back and the best thing you can do is keep going, despite the ups and downs. Creative environments also make me feel great; witnessing people create and make creative things is a wonderful experience. I'm always encouraging others to create, and I offer my help with any future art projects or exhibitions.

What’s one piece of creative advice or a tip you wish you’d known as a young person?
I wish I had known more about the business side of being an artist and not taken it for granted.

Who (living or dead) would you most enjoy hearing speak at CreativeMornings?
Milton Glaser

What myths about creativity would you like to set straight?
That creativity is exclusive to artists and special people, but the truth is that we are all creative. Most of the world's greatest artistic moments are interpretations of things created by "not creative" people.

When you get stuck creatively, what is the first thing you do to get unstuck?
Take a long break, watch and study other artists work. Usually in other people work is where in find solutions to my work.

What was the best advice you were ever given?
I was very young. One day, I attended a very informal concert by Fara María, a very famous singer in Cuba during the 1970s and 1980s. At that concert, the artist was basically saying goodbye to her audience, singing and dancing very bad. As a young and foolish person, I found the show decadent, and perhaps my body posture reflected what I felt. After the show, someone said to me, "Well, the show was awkward, but she's doing her best to give you a good experience, and you should be grateful for that.”