Words Are Objects is the studio of Colombian artist and graphic designer María José Castillo. In their practice, they approach language not only as a tool for conveying meaning but also as a catalog of pliable objects to be examined and manipulated. Their printmaking, installation, and sculptural works lean on coding, poetry, play patterns, the element of chance, and the viewer as an active subject for co-creating meaning.

In their most recent work, María José uses language and the written word to draw bridges between family histories, geographical contexts, and the frustrations deemed to occur while creating communicational bonds between groups of people. 

Community engagement has become another avenue for María José to further these bonds. While living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, they were part of the Serpentina Arts Council—a nonprofit that fosters the development of Latinx artists in the state—, and regularly participated in art and print festivals throughout the US (such as CAKE Chicago, Short Run Seattle, and the Queer & Trans Zine Fest in Minnesota). Design and writing engagements have also played an integral part, through projects involving Reproductive Rights (a resource zine in collaboration with the University of Minnesota), local exhibition reviews, and essays. 

María José has received awards and scholarships from TEDx, Franconia Sculpture Park, the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and ICETEX. Their artwork has been on view in both Colombia and the United States, and their writing has been published in printed and digital catalogs by St. Catherine University, and the Walker Arts Center. Through their Words Are Objects studio they publish artist books, poetry zines, and serialized prints/objects of their authorship—some are part of collections at Princeton University and Virginia Commonwealth University, amongst others. 

As a graphic designer, María José has worked with publishing agencies and graphic design studios, developing projects for companies like TARGET and LEGO, and cultural organizations such as ARTBO, IDARTES, and the Colombian Ministry of Culture.