Meet: Olga Ayala

Reported and written by: Alma Zeno

 
It all started with a mouse. As a young girl, Puerto Rican artist Olga Ayala observed her mother draw a picture of Mickey Mouse. Not just some stick figure with ears, mind you, but an actual life-like depiction of the famous Walt Disney character. Years ago, her mother had hopes of being an artist but abandoned her dream to be a wife and mother. Inheriting her mother’s love and talent for artistry, Ayala decided to fulfill her mother’s long ago cherished dream herself — using her mother as her muse and inspiration. Throughout her life, Ayala experimented with different types of mediums before finding her niche with Polymer Clay, a colorful pliant compound she uses to make sculptures, jewelry and other artistic trinkets. Originally living in East Harlem, she relocated with her daughter to Staten Island nineteen years ago to escape the drugs and violence that was permeating the neighborhood. Although leaving El Barrio behind, she managed to bring her heritage and love of her culture to the island.   Establishing herself has not been an easy task but with word of mouth and a Myspace page, she has managed to procure a steady following within the Staten Island Latino community.   What makes her artwork unique is the obvious love and respect for her Hispanic roots handcrafted in every sculpture. If you look closely enough you can almost see the history of Puerto Rico comes alive before your very eyes.  

STATENISLANDLATINO:Tell me about the type of art you create?
 

Olga Ayala:
When I first started working with Polymer Clay and selling my work at festivals, the themes of my work were pretty much generic with a very small percentage reflecting my culture. I had noticed that Latino culture was represented at festivals but it was from other Latino countries, you just didn’t see art reflecting Puerto Rican culture. This disturbed me because Puerto Ricans were the first Latino group to settle in New York have been a presence here for generations but we were invisible at these type of events so I made it my policy to always represent my culture. Now the ratio has reversed with a small percentage of my work being generic. 
 

STATENISLANDLATINO:What is Polymer Clay?  

Olga Ayala:
Polymer Clay is actually tiny particles of Poly Vinyl Chloride suspended in a plasticizer. When the clay is heated the plasticizer burns off and the particles form a hardened product. It’s a plastic and the same stuff PVC pipe used for plumbing is made of. It was originally developed by a woman in Germany as an alternative to the traditional porcelain used to make dolls and it caught on in the fine arts & crafts community. The material has evolved and artists are constantly experimenting with new techniques and uses for it.  

STATENISLANDLATINO:Why do you like working with it?

Olga Ayala:
Why do I like working with it?  Aaaaaahhhh….. It’s soooo versatile! The scope of my work spans from sculptures to items covered in clay to jewelry pieces. There are a multitude of different techniques that can be applied prior to and post “firing”, and speaking of firing… you don’t need a kiln. The clay “fires” at a low temperature in any home oven. It’s quick (firing time takes no more than 1 hour) and what you put in is what you get, unlike ceramics. 
 

STATENISLANDLATINO:Where do you find your inspiration?

Olga Ayala:
In my everyday life experiences, my culture, family and friends, but music has always played center stage. here’s something about the way music taps into my psyche, the way it makes people feel. It’s universal allure.  

STATENISLANDLATINO:Do you believe your Latino heritage has influenced you whether through your art or in any other aspects of your life?

Olga Ayala:
Absolutely! Music is a driving force in my work. My first love is timbales. My father moonlighted as a timbalero to pay for his kid’s Catholic school education. Latin percussion, especially “skins” are my first musical love. Salsaaaaaaa!  I also always liked “Jibaro” music even though as a young child I didn’t realize how “uncool” it was at the time. I’ve learned so much by reflecting Puerto Rican culture in my work. What I don’t already know, I research. It’s been quite a learning experience to find out the origins of many of the words, customs, and beliefs I’ve taken for granted and I love sharing this info through my art.
 

STATENISLANDLATINO:Why do you suppose Latino’s are so cut off from one another on Staten Island?

Olga Ayala:
I think it’s the way the island is set up. You pretty much have to have a car to get around, it isolates people. I remember my first June on the island. All of a sudden you saw all these Puerto Rican flags displayed from houses and on cars. Drivers would honk at other cars flying the flag like saying “Look! I found another Puerto Rican!” LOL! STATENISLANDLATINO:Do you think there are any barriers for Hispanics in Staten Island or other parts of the United States interested in pursuing creative arts?  

Olga Ayala:
I believe that Latinos are currently the “hot” commodity culturally. I’ve noticed how even Latin music is often played in the background of TV commercials that are not overtly aimed at the Latino community, however….I find Staten Island is still very conservative when It comes to cultural exchanges. I’ve done two events here, The Fine Arts & Crafts Show at the Armory and the Staten Island Waterfront Festival. I was the only Latina participating and there was very little interest in my work.  
 

STATENISLANDLATINO:What problems do you think Latino’s face today?
 

Olga Ayala:
There’s still the double standard of being discriminated against, i.e., the public complaining about illegals but employing them to do work that’s “beneath” them. The stereotypes that we’re all poor, uneducated and that we’re criminals. We have more representation in government and corporate America than in my parent’s generation and lot’s of doors have opened, but we still have a long way to go.  

STATENISLANDLATINO:Has having a Myspace webpage benefited you in connecting to other Latino’s in Staten Island?

Olga Ayala:
Most definitely! There’s more here on the island than I realized! Especially those who have an interest in the arts.      

STATENISLANDLATINO:Besides your art, are there any other ways you express yourself creatively?  

Olga Ayala:
I consider myself a dancing fool, (I’ll dance to anything with a good beat LOL!) I also like to play in the dirt whenever I can…. yes…. gardening is another passion on mine.  

STATENISLANDLATINO:What advice would you give to those interested in pursuing art?

Olga Ayala:
Define what it is that you like, learn as much as you can about it and don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with it! Pursue it with a passion!