3. Cristina Lei Rodriguez

Cultist proudly presents "100 Creatives," where we feature Miami's cultural superheroes in random order. Have suggestions for future profiles? Email [email protected] with the whos and whys.

3. Cristina Lei Rodriguez

Take metallic, glam, almost glittery paint; add industrial-like structures that stretch in different directions, that form imaginary shapes, almost as if you were playing that game in which clouds become figures. That's Cristina Lei Rodriguez's world. Her crude and ethereal sculptures, created with both synthetic and natural materials, have appeared in galleries in Miami, New York, Europe, and elsewhere.

A colorful work that hints at a struggle between nature and consumerist

opulence decorates the Tea Room in Vizcaya. And recently, a

deconstructed Moleskin notebook, fanned out into an array of shiny

colors, made its way around New York and Paris. Miami often serves as

inspiration for her creations -- there are hints of tropical decay,

urban glitz, clashing forces.

Rodriguez was born in Miami to Cuban and Hawaiian-Japanese parents. She currently has two galleries -- one in New York and one in Miami -- and commutes between both cities. You can see some of her works on display at Fredric Snitzer Gallery in Wynwood.

1. List five things that inspire you.

-Fashion magazines
-The way people personally express themselves through their accessories and decorations
-Sculpture made in the the '60s and '70s
-Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault) in Dresden, Germany.  A museum filled with treasure, literally
-Exchanging ideas with artist friends

2. What was your last big project?

I have a show that is about to open at the Hollywood Art and Cultural Center called "Forever."  This show is a survey of sculptures that I made between 2003 through 2010. I am excited about having an opportunity to see works from different bodies of work all in one space. It is also an opportunity for me to show some works that have never been exhibited. Opening reception is 6-9 p.m. Friday, March 4th, and the show will be up through April 10.

3. What is your next big project?

Next Fall I have two solo shows coming up at the galleries I work with: Fredric Snitzer Gallery in Miami and Team Gallery in New York. I have already been working on these shows for the last few months and will continue to work on them until they open. Solo shows are a great opportunity to push my work in new ways and I really want the new works to be amazing!

4. Why do you do what you do?

I have always wanted to be an artist. As far back as I can remember I was doing some kind of arts and crafts project. At this point, it is about dedication and discipline to make my work the best that it can be. If I am going to ask people to spend time looking at my work and consider it, it better be visually striking and smart. It is also OK to just make something that is very beautiful.

5. What's something you want Miami to know about you?

Many times sculptures I make are inspired by music. It isn't at all obvious, but I will play the same song over and over again to get the vibe of the sculpture right. My last solo show in New York was created while listening to Joy Division over and over, and I have a body of works with titles from Abbey Road lyrics from the Beatles.

What's something you don't want Miami to know about you?

Everyone always tells me that they want to touch my sculptures when they see them. If you promise to be really careful and no one is looking, you can take one finger and gently touch my sculpture when you see it. Just be sure you are not at a museum when you do it -- guards will definitely yell at you. 

The Creatives so far:

4. FriendsWithYou
5. Typoe
6. Wendy Wischer
7. Lucas Leyva
8. Jen Stark
9. Adler Guerrier
10. Susan Lee-Chun
11. Andres and Diego Meza-Valdes
12. Beatriz Monteavaro
13. Timothy Buwalda
14. Edwidge Danticat
15. Juraj Kojs
16. Cat Dove
17. Campbell McGrath
18. Frances Trombly
19. Jose Mertz
20. Emma Trelles
21. Pablo Cano
22. Natasha Tsakos
23. Freegums
24. Aurora Natrix
25. Gean Moreno
26. Yaddyra Peralta
27. Barron Sherer
28. Brigid Baker
29. Daniel Fila
30. McLaine Oberhellmann
31. Fro Rojas
32. Annie Hollingsworth
33. Preston Allen
34. Cristina Molina
35. David Josef Tamargo
36. Jillian Mayer
37. Alfonso Vega
38. Natasha Lopez de Victoria
39. Aholsniffsglue

40. Heather Maloney
41. Jorge Rubiera
42. Elaine Lancaster
43. Nick Duckart
44. Danielle Estefan
45. John Dufresne
46. Monica Lopez de Victoria
47. Bill Bilowit
48. Alette Simmons-Jimenez
49. Tawnie Silva
50. Ginger Bardot
51. Jonathan David Kane
52. Naomi Fisher
53. Rocky Grimes
54. Teresa Barcelo
55. Paul Tei
56. Lee Materazzi