Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelson De La Nuez.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was lucky to have escaped the Communist regime in Cuba when I was seven years old with my parents to Southern California, where I started to absorb everything like a sponge—the TV, commercials, advertising, film & music. My art is a reflection of my early childhood-what I saw & observed. America at that time conveyed so much hope & prosperity. People had pride in their work & their country. Most of my images are strongly rooted in pop culture and American icons.
I had to work very hard for everything I have achieved and, based on my background, I don’t ever take any of my success for granted. I can be called an American success story since I had nothing, no connections, no money and did it all myself, used my talent, persistence, and hard work. I tell people they can achieve literally anything they want, anything they are willing to work for. I am now sold in high-end galleries worldwide and have major brands that I partner with, that approach me to design for them for a De La Nuez King of Pop Art collection, such as the prestigious Swiss Corum watches.
Please tell us about your art.
When you see a De La Nuez, you see an idea that is resonated through and through. I take something that everyone is familiar with, almost an everyday object or thought, and turn it into art. Everything builds upon the past, I like to think what I am doing has more ideas and substance. It’s just about expressing myself and how I choose to communicate. I create through mixed media, using acrylics, watercolors, oil pastels, silkscreen, ink, basically whatever I can experiment with, I will at some point. I also use resin, wood and have created sculptures, such as my Pop Donuts which are very popular.
I like working with layers and layers of material to tell a story, each of my pieces is unique. I create art because it’s part of my fiber. I need to create and paint almost every day. I am not sure what I’d do if I didn’t have my creativity as an outlet.
I love when people react to it immediately, they often say “that’s them in the painting”
It makes them happy or smiles and they want it in their home. That’s what I love, the instant connection. They want to be surrounded by these thoughts and images I created, they are drawn to a specific piece for a reason as with any art, but I believe mine are relatable to a large audience since I have so many themes I utilize. I also have all price points, so I don’t alienate anyone.
I sell prints to first-time art buyers or private collectors who only want originals. I also work with the hospitality industry for art in restaurants and hotels. I love doing those projects. I think the biggest challenge is how to convey a feeling using images, color and composition to connect with the viewer.
I have a lot of underlying themes, utilized via the backgrounds and even the sides of my canvases and resins.
In my pieces that have the luxury themes regarding flying first class, Chanel, Hermes, shopping, Wall Street, etc., I am allowing people to show their success and to partially laugh at the excess in their lives at times but, yet, I feel if you work hard for it, you should be able to own as many private jets, Birkins and homes as you want and never apologize.
Then there’s the other audience of those who are on their way up the ladder & desire these things and the art speaks to them and the lifestyle they aspire to.
Art is an expression of yourself so, therefore, what you hang on your walls is an extension of yourself and what you want to show the world when they walk in your home-
You can give any message you want with my artwork.
We had a private jet company owner personalize his company name in a thought bubble and buy three of the large paintings for each luxury home he had- he wanted to express who he was and show his success. I think it’s great–same thing has happened with several celebrities and personalization, often with brands or even colors.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
Much easier with social media and the internet. The artist is more in control now, they have more tools at their disposal with marketing and direct opportunities. I would love to see cities get more involved with setting up partnerships & sponsorships with artists for public space projects for wall art and sculpture for various building in cities.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My work is exhibited at galleries worldwide. To name a few: Palm Beach, Boston & DC,
In Caesars’s Palace Forum Shops in Las Vegas -several galleries throughout Florida,
Los Angeles, Beverly Hills areas, Austin, Hong Kong galleries and of course at the major art fairs such as Art Basel Miami/Context in Dec., Bridgehampton Museum Show, Los Angeles Art Show in January, Melbourne Art Fair, NY Art Fairs and many more year-round. Check out my main website at kingofpopart.com
Also for my humor art which is what I started my career with years ago, go to theMOHA.com (short for the Museum of Humor Art)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kingofpopart.com/
- Instagram: @kingofpopart
- Facebook: @NelsonDeLaNuezKingofPopArt
Image Credit:
Courtesy of Nelson De La Nuez
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