Hushed Noise's 10: Leopoldo Farrera on Magical Realism, Memory, andMaking Meaning from Violence
04 Mar 2025
Leopoldo Farrera is a Mexican photographer whose narrative series are deeply rooted in historical and personal memory, biopolitics, and the poetic density of magical realism. His practice is driven less by inspiration than by a need to speak the unspeakable-transforming theoretical inquiry and emotional unease into highly considered visual storytelling. In this interview, he reflects on growing up in a country marked by violence, the influence of Latin American literature and psychoanalysis, and the challenges of sustaining artistic vision while navigating economic realities.
Hushed Noise: Can you share a bit about your artistic journey? What inspired you to start creating?
Leopoldo Farrera: More than inspiration, what led me to create was a kind of impulse or necessity to express something—to take those themes that cause me unease and find a way to comment on them.
Hushed Noise: How does your cultural background or personal experiences influence your work?
Leopoldo Farrera: On a personal level, and as a Mexican, cosmogony, history, and especially our relationship with death have been pillars of my work. Mexican literature, particularly magical realism, has also played a significant role. On a more personal note, painful experiences have been a major driving force behind my creative process.
Hushed Noise: Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you develop an idea into a finished piece?
Leopoldo Farrera: Everything begins with a question or a concern, a kind of hypothesis. This is followed by rigorous theoretical research. Then comes what is possibly the most complex step: translating the idea into a visual language. Finally, the result is a series—my series are usually deeply narrative.
Hushed Noise: What themes or messages do you explore in your art, and why do they resonate with you?
Leopoldo Farrera: My main themes are personal and historical memory and our relationship with the past. Additionally, I explore biopolitics and necropolitics. These themes resonate with me because I come from a deeply violent country that is going through delicate times.
Hushed Noise: What challenges do you face as an emerging artist, and how do you navigate them?
Leopoldo Farrera: The biggest challenge is monetizing your work and talent—that is the most complex aspect. Turning your work into something that not only evokes admiration but also provides financial sustainability is difficult. Fortunately, I have managed to make photography my source of income. However, navigating economic realities often requires setting aside personal projects and ego to apply your skills to projects that do not necessarily align with your artistic vision.
Hushed Noise: Are there any artists, movements, or experiences that have deeply influenced your work?
Leopoldo Farrera: I could go on endlessly, but if I had to choose, I’d say Latin American literary magical realism, Foucault and Judith Butler, surrealism (both pictorial and literary), particularly the branch influenced by psychoanalysis and its relationship with the dream world. As for life experiences that have shaped my work, I’d say the death or loss of loved ones.
Hushed Noise: How do you see your art evolving in the next few years?
Leopoldo Farrera: I see my work evolving and expanding into other artistic media—installation, other non-photographic mediums, illustration, video, and more.
Hushed Noise: What’s a recent project or piece that you’re particularly proud of, and why?
Leopoldo Farrera: I would say The Banality of the Mask, the project I developed during my master’s degree. In the end, thanks to the support of many people, I was able to bring it to fruition successfully.
Hushed Noise: What role do you think social media and digital platforms play in shaping the opportunities for emerging artists today?
Leopoldo Farrera: I believe that, more than an opportunity, they are often cannibalizing art. social media, after all, is a tool for entertainment that we can only engage with when our other needs are met. For this reason, I do not necessarily see it as a useful tool unless one has the time and resources to invest in it strategically.
Hushed Noise: If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Leopoldo Farrera: Without a doubt, it would be Juan Rulfo. He is my greatest inspiration, and having the honour of illustrating his work would be profoundly gratifying.
Follow Leopoldo Farrera’s work on Instagram at @Polofarrerart. For more, visit Leopoldo’s website: www.polofarrera.com. For inquiries, contact Leopoldo at polofarreraart@outlook.com.
Edited by Xeni R. Quine
Photos by Leopoldo Farrera