Juan Espinosa Jr.

Artist Statement

My name is Juan Espinosa. I am of Mexican, Costa Rican, and Native American descent. I was born in San Bernardino, California, and was raised throughout Southern California. Originally educated in anatomy, kinesiology, and physical therapy, I recently got into art while recovering from an injury. My immersion into art was almost accidental. I was eating barbecue and didn’t have a napkin to wipe my hands, so I used some ordinary notebook paper. A few smudges later, I started to see a figure; then, with some additional strokes using the charred skewers as pencils, I had a portrait of my great-grandfather.
My influences stem from my diverse life experiences, including the Hispanic street gangs of San Bernardino and Los Angeles, the culture of my Hispanic background and upbringing, personal identity struggles, my studies in anatomy and physical therapy, and more recent social experiences within the Palm Springs LGBT community.
My art seeks to express the human condition through culture, mental health, internal conflict, sexuality, and the beauty of chaos. My style and process vary, driven by my emotional and personal connection to each subject, while also drawing on my academic background in figure and form. The control, colors, and expressions in my work offer an introspective look at my perception of the world, both inside and out. My goal is for everyone to experience my art as I experience my world.