SOMOS

Megumi Nakazawa, founder of Faces of Mass Incarceration is a 22 year old artist who uses oil portraiture to tell stories of the formerly incarcerated, system impacted and survivors of crime. Faces of Mass Incarceration challenges stigmas and seeks to dignify and uplift the image of those who are often outcast in society. With the goal of painting 100 portraits, Megumi paints each person from life in a span of 2-3 hours. As she paints, the subjects are given the freedom to share their stories. These stories are documented in audio form, giving viewers the opportunity to see the humanity, beauty and dignity in each individual.

Exhibition: SOMOS

A native Angeleno, Ricardo Estrada’s work reflects the essence of his community. Estrada’s work is a mixture of multiple philosophies that cross generational gaps and portrays the complexity of the Mexican American identity.

Adriana “ONNI” Martinez was born in Californias Harbor Area, raised in the city of Wilmington. She channels the vibrancy of family and Chicano culture into her works of art. Working mainly with oil paint and fine detail, ONNI has recently taken on more of a mixed media approach. With her technique and use of texture, she is able to create layers and dimension within her pieces – bringing her painting to life. Through her lens, she weaves a visual narrative that reflects the stories and heritage of her community. Infusing her creations with a blend of tradition and contemporary flair.

Exhibition: SOMOS

Esmeralda Villarreal is a Los Angeles County native self-taught artist who has been honing her art skills since the mid 2000’s. She fell in love with painting and mastered her craft by looking within herself to find inspiration and growth. Esmeralda’s evolution had her teetering from Realism, to Fantasy, to Mexican Folklore, to Chicano pop art. Priding herself in being a Chicana, her art does often give a nod to her roots and the rich culture her past generations come from. Esmeralda’s art has been shown in various local exhibitions and art shows in Los Angeles and surrounding counties.

Exhibition: SOMOS

Giovanni Rubio is a multi media artist, that considers him self as a cultural worker. Currently, he is has his own digital design business and he is an art instructor he has facilitated art and public art workshops for young people at parks, recreation centers, housing projects, public schools, charter schools and junior colleges throughout the greater Los Angeles County area.

Exhibition: SOMOS

A self taught artist coming out of Santa Ana, Ca. Born into a family of community based activism advocating got immigrant and workers rights. Her love for art began with letters, art, the raza, and cards her father would send her as a child. With a concentration in rich indigenous history and knowledge merged with modern day society and what has become of the 5% of indigenous tribes that survived colonization. Art is her was of expression, medicine, and a way to a better life.

Exhibition: SOMOS

ARi is a Reiki Master, Sculptor, and Painter who uses art to share stories of her encounters with the spirit realm. She developed her love of art in adolescence to now pursue it full time in the hopes to represent other healers in her community. ARi centers her art around women who are actively breaking generational traumas to uplift and inspire them. She highlights the importance of Death and Rebirth as an essential part of the healing process.

Exhibition: SOMOS

Jesse Fregozo is a native Angeleno who primarily works as a painter. He vocalizes the struggles of marginalized communities through the representation of identity and culture as a primary focus. Fregozo uses locations around his community as symbols of identity and a cultural lifestyle that has been carried down generation after generation. Fregozo straddles the line between design and pop culture in the development of his work. His intense works on canvas, paper, photography, and design are mediums for the development of his artwork.

Exhibitions: Street Schooled, Ellsworth Artist Residency Program, SOMOS

Fabian Debora was born in El Paso, Texas and raised in Boyle Heights and began his career in 1988 as a graffiti artist 1995 as a member of the East Los Angeles Streetscapers. He was mentored by many Chicano artists and muralists.

Exhibition: Street Schooled, SOMOS

Showzart, known as “The Art Jedi”, has been in love with art since a very young age and started learning about public art through graffiti and tagging in South Central, LA. At 13 he created his first mural and has never looked back. He is one of the most well known muralists in the Los Angeles area and believes that art is and should always be for the community. Showzart chooses to remain anonymous and lives in Skid Row where he works tirelessly to elevate the Skid Row community. Throughout his work he chooses to represent those among us who are underrepresented in art and media, thus giving a voice and a face to those who may not have the means to speak for themselves.

Exhibition: Street Schooled, SOMOS

Obed Silva is an Assistant Professor of English at East Los Angeles College. For the past four years, however, he has been refining his skills as a painter. Currently, he paints out of the Homeboy Art Academy in Boyle Heights under the instruction of master muralist and painter Fabian Debora. Obed’s paintings have been exhibited at the dA Center for the Arts, Brea Gallery, Able ARTS Work among other art venues.

Exhibitions: Street Schooled, SOMOS

The Artwork of Rick Ortega transcends time and takes us on a mystical journey into an ancient way of life. His paintings reveal an array of indigenous symbols from Mexico’s past, turning his colorful compositions into modern day codices which reveal the history, myths, legends, and spiritual beliefs of the Mexica people, better known as the Aztecs. Each painting captures the heritage of his ancestors, who held the arts with high regard, truly believing that the Tlacuilo (The Painter) had his heart rooted in God and would transfer the symbols of divinity to his paintings. This ancient tradition of creativity is the root of Mr. Ortega’s art.

Exhibitions: Inside Out, SOMOS