Life & Work with Erick Antonio Benitez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erick Antonio Benitez.

Hi Erick Antonio, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in the Bronx, New York and mostly raised in the DMV area in a Salvadoran family household. Since an early age Art and Music have always been a part of my life. From drawing on the walls of the living room to blasting RUN DMC, Selena, and Cumbia’s out my boombox stereo out the bedroom window. It wasn’t till right after high school, when I was pursuing a Psychology degree, that things really began to unfold. At the time, I was taking extracurricular art classes, that made me realize this was where my ambition and passion resonated the most. Music also began to surface as well during this time, I learned guitar and drums, playing in a few punk and experimental groups. Shortly after some time, I decided to switch majors and transferred to the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD to study on the Bachelor’s program in Painting with a Video Concentration. It was here where I fully immersed myself into the arts and evolved further. Baltimore was an incredible place to inhabit because of how fruitful and energetic the art and music scene flourished in the city. It really allowed a lot of freedom and possibilities as a creative person to grow, experiment, and collaborate. I remember some of the wildest times were living in the copycat warehouse building with 8-10 roommates in giant space. The copycat building is known as a legendary live/work space for artists, filmmakers, poets, musicians and other creatives since the 80’s.

During the three years I lived in the copycat, I fully immersed myself in the surrounding arts community. It was here where I romanticized and began to live the artistic lifestyles I always dreamed and read about. We built our own studios for our collective in the space and for others who lived outside the copycat. I also co-found La Bodega Gallery, which opened the possibilities of experimentation, curation, and community engagement. We hosted many art and music shows, along with using the space for personal projects to make big ideas possible. I ended up staying in Baltimore for about ten years because how much I loved the city despite its challenging times and obstacles. I believe for that reason Baltimore is so special, it holds a realness and authenticity to it that’s undeniable and rare to find in other places in America. I discovered many things about myself that grew out of my experience living in Baltimore. Because of how many talented people coexisted in the scene, I was constantly inspired and challenged to be the best version of myself as an artist. I was influenced in many ways, developing my art practice and styles of painting, installation, video, and performance. I was fortunate to have support from various grants, awards and collectors in the region that allowed me to live fully immersed in my practice full-time.

I also ventured into curating spaces and organizing events while also taking time off to travel. Two of my favorite experiences were participating in residencies in Montreal, Quebec (CA) and The Peruvian Amazon jungle. In 2020, I guess with the pandemic and all, I had shift that made me curious about the next stop for me. That year I took a cross-country road trip with a couple of close friends, mainly visiting national parks like Carls Bad Caverns, Whites Sands and Zion. Our trip ended In Los Angeles where we stayed for a few nights in a beautiful Spanish-style home in a hill somewhere in Glendale. That same feeling came back to me that always happened when I visited LA…..I thought to myself again, “Hmmm, I can really see myself living here”, and of course I was seduced my its palm trees, warm weather, and dreaminess. After flying back to Baltimore, I still kept thinking about LA and decided to move there and apply to a MFA at the California Institute of the Arts in 2021. Now it’s been almost two years since I moved, as I’m coming close to my graduation date in May of 2023. So much has happened already and I feel like things have just also began. It’s been inspiring exploring the culture and city here while being in school which feels like another world in itself.

To be honest it’s been an awesome journey so far. I have been fortunate to maintain a proactive and busy art practice with my transition to a new home. So far I’ve had the opportunity to participate in few exhibitions in New York, Baltimore, and DC as well as participated in my first international art fair in Barcelona, Spain while still attending graduate school. I’ve also been taking music more seriously, such as actively DJing as moniker name: King Baby and starting the birth of new experimental group called Sacred Rage. Attending Calarts has been very pivotal during my time here, a school that feels like the Hogwarts of Santa Clarita. I feel pretty lucky to be around a lot of talented actors, artists, dancers, filmmakers, and musicians all under one roof. It really does feel alive and way more distinct in the way that’s more lawless and experimental than my previous experience in undergrad. It’s a nice middle ground to be living in North Hollywood currently because it allows me to still have a close proximity to most places in LA and also living close enough to commute to school.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I would be lying if I said it was an easy road, lol! I think in general it’s safe to say most artists feel the same way. For starters the creative professional world is an enigma in itself. I think there are many obstacles most artists have to face in society because it’s a risky road filled with counter intuitive constructs and illusive structors that define the art world. But if you really care and stay in the pocket, you tend to manage somehow. I think for me personally the hardest parts have been navigating the world of it because of its gatekeepers and somewhat having to conform to certain norms that sometimes can create obstacles for the creative mind. It’s a lot of hustle and flow and most of us have to wear many hats to sustain our practices. But like I said you manage somehow, and to say the least most of our journeys as artists look very different from one another, depending on your life experiences, cultural background, and expectations one has for themselves as an artist. For having the passion and perseverance for my practice is what keeps me going and helps transcends the difficult moment or obstacles I embrace as lessons along the road.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I define my practice as a very hardcore multidisciplinary practice. I say this because my work ranges from painting, sculpture, installation, performance, new media, digital media and sound/music. Painting always stands as the foundation for me and I will never abandon it. It’s the gateway drug of art for me. It connected me with many audiences, places, and opportunities, as well as teaching a lot about life. The rest of the multidisciplinary practices I create engages my curiosity of experimentation and exploration. Currently, my art practice has developed conceptually into themes and narratives of contemporary culture, identity politics, mysticism, mythology, and institutional critique. Collaboration is another significant aspect of my practice which manifests into curatorial practice, organizing events, and project-based collaborations with various voices such as musicians, dancers, and creatives that breach outside of my own practices or skills.

Honestly, I’ve had many proud moments from receiving great awards of recognition and project grants to having my work provide me with opportunities to travel like going to The Amazon Rainforest, Montreal (Quebec), Barcelona (ES), and Mexico. I am also proud to have received a tuition full ride to complete my MFA in Art + Integrated Media at Calarts. I am also extremely grateful for how much support I have received from my friends in the art communities of Baltimore, NYC, and LA. I think what really sets me apart from a lot of artists is that I am not afraid to take risks and continuously redefine myself and practice. I am not afraid to get out of my comfort zone and push my limits within my creative practice. This has allowed my art and music to become dynamic in a way that I am constantly in my own lane.

What makes you happy?
I say there are many, many, many things that bring me joy on the daily. For started, my dog is a big part of the constant happiness. She’s a companion that always cares for me and supports me, the best husky mutt you will ever meet: HIKURI!!!! I also think a lot about my mom when it comes to joy. My mother has been a staple support and drives in my practice. From day one, she has encouraged me to be the greatest version of myself but also supportive in following my own dreams. My circle of friends and acquaintances also brings me so much happiness. I am constantly inspired and driven by them. They also elevate me and show me lots of love in many ways. I think in general I need to be around people and constantly connecting with individuals as well. This aspect of my life not only makes me happy but also generates alot of my creative practice. It’s where I channel a lot of ideas and works. Of course, making work and living in the studio brings an immense of amount of joy for me. It keeps me balanced and constantly growing as an individual. I also love to cook, organize happenings with friends, and traveling. I am definitely guilty of having the travel bug. It’s another aspect of my life that has become so essential in my growth as an artist and person. I feel lucky to have visited many places in the US and outside in numerous countries. One thing I love a lot about traveling is that to me it feels like school every time, where I am constantly learning new things about the world and myself, and to also connect with new friends.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.erickantoniobenitez.com
• Instagram: @the_artist_being_
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/dela500 

Image Credits
Portfolio Images 1-3: Yun Gi Ahn, Portfolio Image 4: Rafael Hernandez-Ispache, Portfolio Image 5: Yassine El Mansouri