New Wave Art Wknd returned to Palm Beach for a resplendent sixth edition last weekend, prompting an impressive array of multidisciplinary artists to ruminate on the theme of “Unity and Community.” The weekend involved panel discussions, gallery hops, and open studios, with a particular spotlight on Tiffany Alfonseca—a Dominican-American mixed-media artist whose powerful works explore Black and Afro-Latin diasporic culture. Named one of the New Wave Artist Residency artists for 2024, Alfonseca’s striking, evocative portraits could be found dispersed throughout the galleries.
To commemorate her residency and NWAW itself, Whitewall asked the artist about her creative process and how her identity helps shape her work.
Tiffany Alfonseca
WHITEWALL: How would you describe your creative practice?
TIFFANY ALFONSECA: My creative process always starts off with music that helps me feel closer to my roots. If it’s not bachata playing in my studio, it’s típico, merengue, or salsa. Tapping into my Dominican roots is essential in my artwork, so I like to make sure I set the mood by playing these genres of music. It helps me feel closer to my ancestors and brings back feelings of happiness, home, and comfort. For me, my creative process is all about setting the right ambience!
Tiffany Alfonseca is the New Wave Artist-in-Residence
WW: What materials, color, and scale are you drawn to?
TA: It’s so funny because if you were to ask high school Tiffany this question I would’ve simply answered with no hesitation “charcoal and pencil.” I used to really dislike paint, but today I would say it’s the foundation of the art I create now. It’s opened me up to other materials such as rhinestones, glitter, silkscreen, collaging, and so on. I now consider myself a mixed-media artist because I love to incorporate all these mediums into my practice. I don’t think it would be a Tiffany painting without the glitter, rhinestones, or neon colors!
“Jane Aiello” (In Quarantine Series), Tiffany Alfonseca, 2020
. Graphite on paper
. 16×16 inches.
WW: How do you choose the subjects of your portraiture?
TA: When starting a new project, I always take a look at my family’s archive. A lot of my work comes from vintage family photos albums because I feel like those times were simpler. Maybe I’m just an old soul, but I always feel joy and relate more to older generations. Something about those times captures the true essence of Latino culture. Parties were more fun; the music was better, and the “less is more” mindset helped mold what my family is today. I also sometimes ask my friends or Instagram followers to participate, which gives my work a sense of community.
“When starting a new project, I always take a look at my family’s archive,” — Tiffany Alfonseca
WW: Can you tell us about a recent piece or series you’ve been working on? What was the starting point for this?
TA: I’ve been working on an online solo show with Debuck Gallery, which I strongly adore. This project has given me the freedom to create from the soul! I finally had the chance to tap into collaging, which is something that I’ve always been interested in. One of my favorite pieces from this series is titled La mama del pueblo (2024) which translates to “the village mother.” In this painting, you see an older woman preparing a moro, which is one of my favorite Dominican dishes. She’s making a large pot that could easily feed a family of 20, since we’re big on sharing food in Dominican culture. Making sure everyone is always fed and then some. This painting is near and dear to me because those traditions and recipes have been passed down through generations and will continue to be preserved in my work.
“La mamá del pueblo,” Tiffany Alfonseca, 2024. Acrylic paint, rhinestones, mixed media, collage, and colored pencils on stretched canvas, 30×40 inches.
Where Tiffany Alfonseca Starts with a Painting
WW: Where do you typically start with a painting?
TA: I usually just freestyle, but lately I’ve been sticking to a routine of drawing on the canvas and then just layering the painting on. I find myself doing a lot of color-blocking which then leads on to more details and technique later on.
WW: Can you tell us about your studio?
TA: My studio wouldn’t be my studio if music wasn’t playing. I also have a lot of sources of inspiration in my studio, such as a Bad Bunny cut out, a poster of the Dominican singer Zafiro, and a Dominican flag.
“Los Niños (Don Juan),” Tiffany Alfonseca, 2024. Acrylic paint, mixed media, collage and colored pencils on stretched canvas. 36×48 inches.
WW: What is a typical day like for you there?
TA: Laying on the floor, feet up, sketching. There’s lots of planning, but also spontaneity! I like to sketch on my iPad too, since it makes things easier when I’m feeling experimental.
WW: Can you tell us about your plans for the New Wave Artist Residency? What are you looking forward to?
TA: I’m so excited and truly blessed to be given this opportunity, I seriously couldn’t thank Sarah enough! I’m just really looking forward to tapping into some new ideas I have for my work and the freedom to create without limitations. Sometimes it’s hard to experiment because people are so used to seeing your work one way that you kind of become afraid to do anything else. I feel like this residency is giving me the chance to break free from that mindset and just create whatever I want without feeling pressured. This is the perfect time to create work that I’ve always wanted to create, and for that I am forever thankful!
“I feel like this residency is giving me the chance to break free,” —Tiffany Alfonseca
