Today we’d like to introduce you to Demetri Espinosa.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I grew up in Lowell, which is an incredibly diverse city. My parents are both immigrants—my mother Greek and my father Mexican. Growing up with that sort of dual cultural awareness had a pretty big impact on my perspective as a kid. It’s a significant part of what informs my work today.
Please tell us about your art.
My work is always changing. I’m still discovering myself as an artist and trying to learn as much as I can every step of the way. A year ago, I was making a lot of detailed still life paintings, trying to render them believably, and trying to bring the viewer into that space. But I took a sharp turn toward abstraction sometime late last year. I think I got to the point where I realized, “Ok, I can make a convincing painting of x, y, or z, but then what?” I wasn’t really doing anything special other than demonstrating my technical skill. Technique is definitely important, but it’s only part of the puzzle. I think the motivations behind one’s work are more important, as well as the energy and emotion that drive it. And so, I gave myself sort of a challenge, that for a while I would set out to make work without any requirement that it look like anything, but which at least feels like something. It’s an effort to try to hone my intuition, which is really the crux of my creative process.
So, the point I’m at now is I’m making a lot of experiments, trying to synthesize color and shape through the motion of my body, through the process of mark-making, and trying to gain some insight into how the ways in which those elements combine might point toward a deeper personal language or narrative. That’s the larger goal of all this, to be able to articulate myself through my work. We’re in this time of great tension in this country and our differences divide us more sharply now than at any time in recent memory. As someone who grew up split between some sharply divided cultures, it’s a reality that hits close to home. Art can be a powerful tool for social change, and it’s my hope that my work resonates enough with people to be able to contribute meaningfully to that greater conversation. If I can get people to feel something deep in their gut, to experience some deeper truth through my art even if they can’t quite describe it, then I’ve done my job.
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?
That’s tough to say. Art as a livelihood has never been a sure thing. It’s much more practical to go into finance or business or perhaps medicine. There’s a clear path laid out in most other disciplines. Art is a gamble. It’s crucial to the functioning of a well-rounded society yet no one really needs art in the same way that they need oxygen. But I do. And you’d be hard pressed to find another artist who doesn’t feel the same way. Art is damn important. I’m a bit biased toward visual art but the whole range of art is pretty crucial to the overall health of a modern city. Theatre, music, cuisine—it’s all an expression of our humanity in some way. It’s all important. Boston has been steadily strengthening its offerings in some of those areas, for sure. I’ve lived in this city for ten years and little by little I notice a bit more happening in the arts. Some of the new public art projects cropping up have been noteworthy. But we’re not quite there yet. I’d like to see more. As a major international city, we need to step up to the plate. We’ve got so many buildings in need of rejuvenation in this city, they can’t all become luxury condos. We need to put more murals on these walls, we need more spaces for the arts.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
Definitely check out my Instagram, @demetriespinosa, or my website, www.demetriespinosa.com. Of course, the best way you can support me is to buy some work. I sell originals and prints online through Saatchi Art (www.saatchiart.com/demetriespinosa), and I’m always open to commissions whether it’s a drawing, a painting, or even a mural. But if art isn’t in your budget right now you can always support me by just spreading the word and letting people know about my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.demetriespinosa.com
- Email: demetri.espinosa@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/demetriespinosa/
- Other: https://www.saatchiart.com/demetriespinosa
Image Credit:
Demetri Espinosa
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