Today we’d like to introduce you to Enrique Nevarez.
Enrique, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always been thinking and daydreaming since I could remember. Usually I didn’t speak much at school growing up, and being part of the LGBT community, you learn how to adapt to your surroundings early. Art was always an escape that welcomed me unconditionally throughout my growth.
Today, I credit my great-grandmother for my purpose in getting me a clear sense on why I paint what I do, being a first generation with a great foundation of family has been part of my development and I’m still growing and learning how I can help my community with my skills. Speaking has never been my strength, and I’m still learning even after University how I fit into the conversation of the art world.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Art in general is hard mentally and physically, but I also think nothing in life is smooth. You will pull out some great paintings and an equal amount of not so impactful ones. I took my time in community college trying everything else other than painting. Whether being a graphic designer, pastry chef, fashion illustration, you name it, I tried it or considered it before taking painting more seriously. There’s a lot of reading, talking about art with other artists or curators, going to art events, learning to understand the current mindset of the art world, what purpose do you feel doing a certain genre of style? Experimenting with many materials, spending many long nights coming up with ideas that mean something to you etc. It’s super fun though, but surely not for the weak hearted, takes some thick skin to make it in my opinion. You have to always make sure to have fun, like anything else.
Please tell us about your art.
I’m a working artist that specializes in the female figure usually known for using my own experiences of the women in my life as a continuous point of reference for my paintings. Whether direct and autobiographical, and collaged through my own image, narrative is built on my own contemplations on the roles of women in my circle and society at large. I’m most proud to support my female audience in a more careful manner with consideration. Also, glad I’ve taken my time to study it all throughout college more than the male figure, which I feel like I can create an easier formula later along my career. I think what sets me apart is I also use myself as reference at times, in a sense dragging my own figure to tell a story, I have always related more to the female perspective growing up, and I don’t feel like many male artists investigate those sociocultural topics, or appreciate them as I do. Most of the time, throughout history, women are objectified in settle ways which is what I want to alter and change. Kind of tall order, but I’m up for the challenge.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Consistency in practicing your craft, and keeping up with whatever industry you’re in. The legacy you leave behind hopefully is clean and sincere to your best intentions. Success for me is teaching the next generation how to hold each other accountable to what we feed ourselves in this day and age of the image. And always firstly making sure I can do what I love no matter what, which is art. Can’t survive without it.
Contact Info:
- Email: enrique.zeraven@gmail.com
- Instagram: enrique_zeraven
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