Rising Stars: Meet Daniel Flores Estrella

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Flores Estrella.

Hi Daniel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
At a young age, my maternal aunts and grandmother introduced me to art and various art materials. They would take me on trips to the countryside in Jalisco, Mexico, to observe the colors and to visit the works of the great Mexican muralists. My formal art training began when I received an art scholarship from Inglewood Cultural Arts Affair to study various art forms from local artists. These artists included Gina Lamb, Michael Massenburg, June Edmonds, and other local L.A. artists. This opportunity led me to Otis College of Art and Design, where I obtained my BFA. In the following years, I worked for LACMA’s Arts Education Program, SPARC, and West of Rome Public Art. During this time, I was awarded an artist residency from Artworx LA and La Plaza de Arte y Cultural to further develop my teaching skills by teaching art courses at continuing high schools. In other words, Los Angeles has not only influenced my practice but continues to inform the subject matters that I work with.

Seeking cohesion between my studio and public art practice led me to pursue an M.A. in philosophy at Fordham University in NYC. While in New York, I received an artist residency in Alexandria, Egypt, where I taught muralism and graphic design workshops to undergraduate art students and activists. After completing my studies in NYC, I returned to L.A. to teach at Loyola Marymount University’s College of Communication and Fine Arts. Although, after a few years, I accepted a fellowship at the Maryland Institute College of Art to pursue an MFA. I completed my MFA in the spring of 2023 and moved to Paris, France, the summer after graduation.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I believe that all creative practices/vocations carry particular challenges. The ongoing challenge (which I believe most artists face) is finding exposure for your work. I was fortunate to find work in the creative sector, but this did not always lead to exhibition opportunities. As artists, we do not only have to be attentive to our studio time but constantly work towards finding opportunities to grow our practice and to exhibit our work.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a multidisciplinary artist, working in painting, printmaking, art education, and public practice. My current body of work investigates histories of itinerant workers in the U.S. West, return migration, and the role of fire in L.A.’s history and culture.

My artist residencies have enabled me to work with youth in L.A., in migrant shelters in north and south Mexico, and with young activists and art students in Egypt and Algeria. Additionally, I served on the executive board of ReachLA (a youth art and health advocacy non-profit organization) for more than five years. These opportunities have enabled me to not only bring praxis to the theories that inform my work but more importantly, to be in community with the people that illuminate my work.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Having recently moved to Paris, I have found joy in discovering the city and the sites that inspired not only great art movements but also the profound works of Angela Davis, Édouard Glissant, and James Baldwin. Aside from this, breaking bread with my community is a constant source of happiness.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.danielfloresestrella.com