Josefina Rodriguez varela

Josefina Rodriguez is a Canadian-Argentinian artist based in Calgary, Alberta (Treaty 7 Territory). She holds a BFA in Ceramics from the Alberta University of the Arts.

Rooted in her experiences growing up in Latin America—a region marked by patriarchal structures—Rodriguez’s practice explores the social and cultural forces that shape gender roles. Her work challenges the narrow, often one-dimensional narratives imposed on the female experience, and seeks to reclaim space for complexity, sensuality, and autonomy.

Through hand-built figurative ceramics and expressive drawings, Rodriguez invites viewers to engage with the themes of sensation, pleasure, and resistance as vital, humanizing forces. Her work celebrates the strength and beauty found in the unconventional, the unapologetic, and the rebellious aspects of womanhood.

Curriculum Vitae
of
Josefina Rodriguez

 Email: josefinarvarela@gmail.com

Education 

2021 BFA Ceramics, Alberta University of the Arts, Calgary, Alberta 

2013 Surface Land Administration Certificate, Mount Royal University, Calgary

Awards/Scholarships 

2021 Monika Smith Ceramics Scholarship

2020 Jason Lang Scholarship 

2020 3M Direct Entry Scholarship

2019 Louise McKinney Scholarship for Academic Achievement 

2018 Jason Lang Scholarship 

2017 Jason Lang Scholarship 

Solo Exhibitions 

2020 Strike, Dear Mistress. Marion Nicoll Gallery, Calgary, AB

Exhibitions 

2021 Primal Impacto, SPE West & South West Film Festival

Soft Opening, The Fem Assembly, Calgary, AB

Souls of the Land, Arts Commons, Calgary, AB

Now And Then, Tales of Immigration and Resiliency, Virtual Exhibition

2020 Work Transforms Work. Ceramics Department Annual Show, Calgary, AB

2019 Expo Latino Alberta, Calgary, AB

Raices, Spanic Arts Show, Calgary, AB

Like a Rock, Ceramics Department Annual Show, Calgary, AB

2018 New Works (Group Show), NVRLND, Calgary, AB

2017 8th Annual President’s Student Exhibition, ACAD, Calgary, AB

People’s Portrait Prize, CSpace, Calgary, AB

Draw Til You Drop Art Show, Rumble House,  Calgary, AB

Fibre Miniature Show and Fundraising, ACAD, Calgary, AB

Fibre Department Annual Show, ACAD, Calgary, AB 

Sculpture Department Annual Show, ACAD, Calgary, AB

2016 Golden Ratio Art Group: Emergence, LocalMotive Building, Calgary, AB

Public Installations and Collaborations 

2021 Primal Impacto, Connecting Perspectives, A cross Border Initiative with

Deb Leal

2018 Chicken On The Way Sweater Installation, Calgary, Alberta

(Collaboration with Yilu Xing)

Public Presentations

2021 Primal Impacto Panel Discussion, Connecting Perspectives

Feminist Art, DesayunArte: Artist talks (SpanicArts)

2020 Ceramics, sex and female empowerment, Clay Voices Online Seminar 

Publications

2021 All The Feels, The Fem Assembly Zine Vol.1

2020 ESKER Foundation ‘In Common’ Series

2018 NoD Magazine 

2018 Global News coverage of Chicken on the Way Sweater

Languages (fluent)

Spanish 

English

Volunteer

2021 SpanicArts Board Member  (2019-2021)

2018 ACADSA Show & Sale 

2018 ACADSA Student Group Selection Jury

2017 ACADSA Student Group Selection Jury 

Professional Organizations 

SpanicArts: Hispanic Association of Professional Artists

National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) 

Alberta Craft Council (Membership)