Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Peña.
Jerry, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I am first generation Mexican American raised in the City of Long Beach. I attended CSULB and received a B.A. in Studio Art with an emphasis in drawing and painting as well as a minor in psychology. I now work out of San Pedro.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I work primarily in painting and photography and at times combine both making mixed media works. I also make works that are heavy with materials usually found in blue collar working class jobs as well as found objects in my paintings. My artwork centers primarily on the topic of the unnoticed aspects of daily life and emphasizes them unapologetically making them the center of attention within the work. I like to include the topics of gentrification, commentary on social economical issues, cultural identity, and the blue collar working class. The main thing I want people to take away from my work is a new appreciation for the discarded and disregarded things and people within our daily lives. Things that hold beauty but are often overlooked because they do not fit within the context of what our society values. I think that people should know my work is minimal but riddled with clues that touch upon the topics I listed above. I think they should know there are levels of sarcasm and tongue in cheek moments mixed with very dark nihilism.
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
I have always struggled with this question and continue to struggle with it because of my cynicism of the art world but as of now I reached a point where I can answer this question realistically in two ways. I think most artists would define success as being able to wake up every day and make art but also pay the bills with it. I think that’s somewhere we are all trying to reach at different levels. The second answer is more of a personal opinion that I apply to my practice and that is I define success by the way I push and break new grounds in my work while still maintaining a level of honesty to what my work is about. I think an essential characteristic artists need to reach success in whatever way they define it is patience. Being in the arts is not an easy path to take.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Although I have been more selective and have slowed down from exhibitions I do show occasionally when the right time and venue align. I usually share this information on my Instagram which is the only social media I use. That being said Instagram is the best way to reach me or view where I’m exhibiting and also check out my new work. My handle is @turnt.turpentine
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @turnt.turpentine
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