How did you become a photographer? Would you define yourself as a one?
It became important when I realized that photography was a key point, an essential part of my artistic training – this was my approach to photography. What I didn’t know or wasn’t sure about was that I was going to spend so much time on photography and that I’ll use it as an artistic tool.
I define myself as an artist, in general. And, even if it might be seen the other way around, I have spent most of my working hours on Painting and not Photography.
What drives you as a photographer?
My work is based on my life, it is my philosophy represented in images. Concepts like love – as in the photo El beso (The Kiss) – or death, in Madrid, where a woman stands in front of a set, smiling and taking a piece of steak from a box.
Do you think there is such a thing as a ‘woman’s gaze’ in photography? Is this something you can relate to?
I do not take gender issues as something of interest in my artistic work. Sometimes you think that a work is done by a man and then you look for the author and it turns out to be a woman, or vice versa. The artists who usually portray themselves can be interested in that point of view… Although for me, every artwork is a self-portrait.
Has being a woman influenced your work as an artist in any way?
I don’t think so. At the beginning of my career, no one knew who Ouka Leele was, who was behind the name. In my opinion, since the celebrations of March 8th and the rise of the concept of positive discrimination, everything has been worse.
My struggle and my intention has always been to participate as much as men and women in cultural life.
Do you live off your art?
Completely and exclusively, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. But I have always been able to pay my expenses and I have eaten every day, although at first, when I lived in Barcelona, I had to go eat for free in the Hare Krishna (an international association offering free vegetarian meals, ed.).
Which authors have inspired you? Are there any women photographers among them?
Now I’m thinking of women artists and painters such as Frida Kahlo, Artemisia Gentileschi, Georgia O’Keeffe.
In Photography I am inspired by Man Ray.
In painting, by William Blake, Odilón Redón, Leonardo, Corot, Velázquez, Emil Nolde… Oh, and David Hockney.
