Hidden Gems: Meet Julian Bermudez of Bermudez Projects

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julian Bermudez

Hi Julian, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
This has been such an incredible journey!

In my early teens, I was introduced to comic books — both Marvel and DC — and fashion magazines. The visual storytelling that I experienced from these publications inspired me to pursue a career in the arts. While in college I studied fine art, journalism, history of religion, and art history. At some point when I realized moving to New York, in order to work for Vogue wasn’t in the cards, I decided becoming a curator would allow me to bring all my interests together. I was extremely fortunate to be offered an internship at LACMA by one of my professors at UCLA, which led me to the Fowler Museum’s museum studies program. Those courses opened the doors to the Pacific Asia Museum’s art collections department, where I worked on digitizing its vast holdings, as well as co-producing online exhibitions. After briefly working for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, I returned to Pacific Asia Museum where — this time — I got to do my dream job: curating art exhibitions.

From there, I was hooked! There is something quite magical in telling stories through art and visual media. I knew I wanted to continue doing it. And, it was very important that I have creative autonomy.

So, I began curating pop-up art shows connecting contemporary art with spaces conducive to the arts’s aesthetic. Those pop-ups grew in success; and, wanting to maintain momentum, I took on my first brick-and-mortar space in DTLA.

Bermudez Projects was born May 26, 2011. Since then, I have curated and presented nearly 100 shows, which include the SPACELAND Biennial, and internationally-traveled exhibitions. I have partnered with cultural institutions and non-traditional spaces, in order to bring caliber exhibitions to their audiences across the country. And, I have made it my gallery’s mission from Day One to champion often-underrepresented emerging artists, particularly Black, Latinx, Queer, and Women artists.

The gallery’s programming continues to grow. The network of artists keeps expanding in remarkable ways. And, I have a beautiful, light-filled space in the Northeast LA neighborhood of Cypress Park.

I’ve been extremely fortunate to have been offered so many opportunities. Each one has informed the next; developing this connective thread that is demonstrative of the gallery’s history and place in the world.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Well, the gallery came into being during the 2008 financial crisis. There was a lot of economic uncertainty and fear. And, yet I knew that if I stayed the course and paid attention, the gallery would demonstrate how vital art is to our daily lives.

I think understanding that any dream worth pursuing is going to have its challenges. Nothing is ever 100% smooth; don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

You have to lead with your heart. Lead with Love. Passion is key. You have to love what you do, because on those days when there is so much going on, and it all feels like it’s just too much, the passion, the love… the commitment will sustain you.

As you know, we’re big fans of Bermudez Projects. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Bermudez Projects is a multi-platform arts gallery dedicated to increasing public access to the visual arts. Since its founding in 2011, the gallery has presented dynamic artworks by the next generation of emerging and mid-career contemporary American artists. Our strong focus on Black, Latinx, Queer, and Women artists has placed us in the vanguard of galleries, as we have and continue to be at the forefront of expanding the visibility of marginalized artists. Works by the gallery’s artists have been acquired by museums such as LACMA, The Neon Museum Las Vegas, the Museum of Latin American Art, the Museum of Neon Art, and the Palm Springs Art Museum.

In 2011 and 2017, we were one of the participating galleries in The Getty Foundation’s region-wide initiative Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980 and Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA.

Through our editions program, the gallery publishes fine art prints and books, in order to allow greater accessibility and affordability to fine art.

ALL our public programs are free, because I strongly believe that art needs to be experienced by the widest audience possible. Simultaneously, art and artists need to be supported. Purchasing art from the gallery is one of the greatest investments you can do. Its impact is exponential, because that purchase directly effects the lives of the artists, framers, preparators, gallery staff, and our community.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Decisive, passionate, curious, calm, steady, agile, exuberant, and joyful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bermudezprojects.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bermudezprojects/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bermudezprojects
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bermudezprojects927
• Other: https://bermudezprojects.tumblr.com/

Image Credits
Courtesy of the artists and Bermudez Projects, Los Angeles.