6 Artists You Should Follow on Instagram
9/10/23
As the vibrant hues of September herald the commencement of Hispanic Heritage Month, we invite you to celebrate the rich tapestry of Hispanic and Latinx artistry through the digital world. We’ve curated a roster of 6 contemporary Latinx artists whose Instagram accounts are a testament to the fusion of tradition and innovation, painting a colorful narrative of their heritage.
So, without further ado, let’s embark on this visual voyage and introduce you to our favorite Hispanic and Latinx artists who deserve a coveted spot on your Instagram feed.
Raelis Vasquez: Glimpses of the Everyday
Step into the vibrant world of Raelis Vasquez, a New York and New Jersey-based artist whose paintings are glimpses into Afro-Dominican life. Drawing from his rich memories and emotions, Vasquez creates tender and sincere portrayals of daily life, often featuring his family and friends. His large-scale oil and acrylic works are bathed in warm, welcoming colors, capturing everyday scenes as simple as family dinners or pool days. Each canvas radiates with the authenticity of everyday moments made monumental in scale.
But Vasquez's art goes beyond aesthetics; it's a powerful exploration of race, class, and immigration, rooted in his personal experiences and those of his subjects. As he aptly puts it, "I think it's important to have more voices from these wide categories so that we can really see the nuances and really appreciate the differences and similarities because we all have our similarities as well." Through his heartfelt creations, Vasquez invites us to celebrate the beauty of common moments and to appreciate the color of Afro-Dominican life.
Niege Borges: Graphic Design to Wearable Art
Niege Borges, the Brazilian-American graphic designer and illustrator based in Brooklyn, thrives on bold and vibrant creativity. With a degree in graphic design, she freelances full-time, infusing her work with the colors of both Brooklyn and her Brazilian roots.
Borges's art is a vivid celebration of diversity, gender fluidity, and everyday life. Her striking illustrations draw inspiration from fashion, nature, and theater. Beyond the digital canvas, Borges extends her creativity to upcycled clothing, giving new life to thrifted garments and turning them into one-of-a-kind pieces. Her work pays homage to strong women and immigrants, reflecting her own journey.
She's worked with big names like Instagram, Apple, Nike, and Google, proving her exceptional talent in the industry. Borges's art sparks meaningful conversations about gender, body diversity, and race, all while celebrating the courage to embrace one's identity. As she puts it, "This is also a tribute to all immigrants that, like me, had the courage to start a life in another country."
Raul Urias: Comic-Book Colors & Geometric Escapes
Raul Urias, the Mexican artistic virtuoso, effortlessly fuses the vivid colors, shapes, and faces of his homeland into captivating masterpieces. Hailing from Chihuahua in Mexico's northern Sierra Madre mountains, Urias finds inspiration in the rich flora and fauna of Mexico. His art isn't confined to canvases; it comes alive on billboards, clothing lines, and in fine art galleries. At just 30, Urias boasts a mural at Twitter's Mexico City headquarters, Marvel art licenses, Nike apparel, Airbnb videos, and coffee and tequila packaging. Urias's symmetrical wizardry creates an enchanting visual rhythm that's hard to ignore.
"I was one of those guys that never stopped drawing because I was so bad with sports, and I hate cars," Urias chuckles. His studio, shared with fellow illustrator Cesar Ruíz Canseco, is a colorful haven where books full of references, whimsical Japanese toys, and artworks by friends intermingle. Urias's intricate silk screen prints, brought to life with up to sixteen colors, meld Mexican culture with modern popular illustration, making his work truly timeless and captivating.
Recently, he collaborated with Ernie Ball for their 2022 Slinky campaign, infusing iconic brand elements with a psychedelic twist. Urias's journey is a testament to the power of passion, where success follows those who create with love and dedication. As he puts it, "Success is a consequence of good work, not an end."
Yvette Mayorga: Unveiling the Pink of Latina Feminism
Dive into the Barbie, pink world of Yvette Mayorga's art. Mayorga's recent solo exhibition, What A Time To Be, at The Momentary in Bentonville, Arkansas, challenges norms and captures the essence of Latina feminism in a unique and powerful way.
In her striking self-portrait, The Brunette Latinx Self-Portrait, After Francois Boucher’s The Brunette Odalisque c.1745, Mayorga confidently confronts traditional artistic norms. Painted in bold pink, she reclines amidst a backdrop of heart-wrenching images, her laptop displaying the very source material that fuels her creativity. Her expressionless gaze disrupts the conventional narrative and forces us to confront the legacy of colonial violence and the enduring strength of self and community.
Mayorga's exhibition immerses visitors in a world where culture, identity, and contemporary life of girlhood intersect. Her intricate installations made of an almost icing-like texture, like Bedroom After 15th, transport you into a world where the girliness of her Latina identity and cultural resilience converge.
Justin Favela: Tearing Boundaries with Tissue Paper
Las Vegas, Nevada may be known for its dazzling lights and high-rolling casinos, but nestled within this vibrant city is an artistic force shaking up the status quo. Meet Justin Favela, the master of tissue paper, a true trailblazer in contemporary Latinx art. Favela’s larger-than-life installations and sculptures burst forth with a riot of color, weaving together his encounters with American pop culture and the Latinx experience.
He's not just a local sensation; his work has left its mark across the United States and beyond, with prestigious exhibitions at institutions like the Denver Art Museum and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Plus, he's no stranger to recognition, having received the 2018 Alan Turing LGTBIQ Award for International Artist.
But Favela is more than just an artist; he's also a voice for the marginalized, co-hosting culture-oriented podcasts Latinos Who Lunch and The Art People Podcast. Armed with a BFA in fine art from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Justin Favela is a dynamo on a mission, using his art to challenge the norms and amplify underrepresented voices.
Rayos Magos: Mastering Multimedia during the Pandemic
Meet Rayos Magos, the dynamic Latinx/Chicano mixed-media artist hailing from San Jose, CA. Rayos's creative journey is a mixture of symbolism, healing, spirituality, psychology, and social justice. With a background in Counseling Psychology and a specialization in Expressive Arts Therapy, Rayos seamlessly weaves between mediums such as collage, printmaking, painting, and sculpture, each medium unveiling different facets of their psyche.
Rayos's art springs from a deep exploration of his ethnic and cultural identity as a Chicano in the U.S. As a 3rd generation Mexican-American, his work resonates with the unique bicultural experience, aiming to infuse the community with hope, love, and awareness. Through artistic engagements and workshops, Rayos fosters connections, amplifying the power of visual storytelling to heal and unite.
Intriguingly, Rayos's work takes on new meaning in our ever-evolving world, especially amidst the challenges of COVID-19 and the fight against racial injustice. His monochromatic linocut print, Just Breathe, not only encourages deep breaths but also serves as a poignant reminder of those who can't. Through murals like Heart Space near San Jose City Hall, Rayos spreads messages of hope and compassion, demonstrating the transformative power of art in these turbulent times.
As Rayos beautifully puts it, "The limited social interactions have made me dig deeper into themes, symbols, and contemplation of the world." Join Rayos Magos on Instagram for a vibrant visual journey that provokes thought, stirs the soul, and inspires change. "Art," Rayos reminds us, "is a breath of fresh perspective."