Here, we ask an artist to frame the essential details behind a recent work.
Your name: Joshua Nazario
Your age: 24
Where you’re based: Puerto Rico
Instagram: @joshuanazariolugo
Title of the work: Turista (Autorretrato en LA)
Where to see it: ART FOR CHANGE Artist-in-residence program in Santa Monica, CA + artforchange.com
Three words to describe it: Direct, Monumental, Nostalgic
What was on your mind at the time: During my first days in L.A., I visited the usual tourist spots, including Hollywood Blvd, where so many symbols of the city exist on the same street. After that day, I came back feeling like such a tourist that I had to paint a self-portrait as the most stereotypical tourist possible.
An interesting feature that’s not immediately noticeable: The jersey’s color is bare canvas, which I often use as a way of treating canvas for what it is—a textile fabric rather than just a surface.
How it reflects your practice as a whole: “Turista” reflects my practice as a whole because it shows my constant depiction of past experiences, current/new surroundings, and interests like sports, which appear throughout my work as either a primary focus or a simple reference.
One song that captures the work’s essence: “Que?” by Wakal. I had it on repeat at the time so I can’t just help to associate it with the painting.
