How were you introduced to the mediums that you work with?
I had never been exposed to art while growing up until I discovered Tumblr in late high school. I started reblogging a lot of works I liked. The other day, I looked through my reblogs and realized that many were by artists such as Gregory Halpern, Matisse, Picasso, Egon Schiele, Jim Goldberg, Raymond Pettibon, and others.
Because of Tumblr, I purchased my first point-and-shoot film camera, an Olympus XA2, and fooled around with it for a long time before eventually moving on to a medium-format camera.
What draws you to the stories that you document in your work?
What draws me to the stories I document is their relevance to my own experiences and identity. As a Deaf gay individual, I’m naturally drawn to stories that reflect aspects of myself or challenge the way I see the world. For a long time, I avoided fully embracing my identity, but over time, I’ve come to realize how central it is to my work. I also enjoy documenting people who embrace their uniqueness, especially those who don’t fit conventional molds. It’s the diversity and complexity of these stories that keep me engaged and make my work feel real.
What role does collaboration play in your work?
It plays a significant role in my work because it allows me to see things from different perspectives and push my boundaries. I find that it often leads to unexpected results that I wouldn’t have arrived at on my own. It’s a way of building something bigger than what I could do alone.
Your ongoing series, Silent Echoes, seeks to document the experiences of the Deaf LGBT+ community that lived through the AIDS crisis. What led you to start this project? Where has this project taken you? Are there any particular moments from working on this project that have especially lingered with you?
I went through a rough breakup, and it made me realize that I really needed the support of my own community, which is Deaf and Gay. So, I moved to Los Angeles to be closer to that community. Through this, I met a few older individuals and realized their stories weren’t being told or recorded through an artistic process. This project has introduced me to new people and places, and, in addition, it has opened up career opportunities for which I am eternally grateful. The fact that I went through my entire childhood not knowing there were Deaf Gay individuals like me has really stayed with me. I also feel incredibly fortunate to be living in a time where we have access to preventable measures for AIDS.
Your project, 20,310 Feet, documents your sister and her partner’s ascent of Denali as the first full deaf-led expedition to do so. What was it like to work with such a closely-knit team? What was the preparation for this project like? Were there any steps along the way that surprised you or made you reflect?
It was fantastic working with my sister and her partner. It was insanely tough, but rewarding. We had to train and exercise for several months, which was especially difficult back then when I wasn’t exactly into working out, haha. What surprised me the most was how utterly exhausted we were every single day on the mountain, yet I still managed to get up, start cooking, melt water, and keep moving. The focus was real, and we were determined.
Your film, Unspoken Road, follows Deaf & Queer siblings Nora and Uriel Torres. How did this project come to be? What was it like to share their story? Are there any conversations you hope that this project fosters for the audience?
I was participating in the AIDS LifeCycle, where hundreds of cyclists ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise funds for nonprofit organizations supporting AIDS research and services in both cities. Through that, I met Uriel and Nora. Eventually, Rapha reached out to me and asked me to submit an idea for their Rapha Film Fund. I was ultimately selected, and I immediately thought of these two individuals. It was both challenging and eye-opening to share their story. It was my first big project, and I learned a lot along the way. It made me realize that Deaf individuals don’t have the same opportunities as others. That realization has motivated me to tell more stories and challenge the norms in the process.
What is something you want to see more of in your world or in your community?
I’d like to see more Deaf artists and more opportunities for us, not because of our disability, but because of our skills and hard work.
What is one of the larger challenges you and/or other artists are struggling with these days and how do you see it developing?
I think networking is something I will always struggle with. It’s almost inevitable, especially as a Deaf person. I’ve learned to let it develop more organically, by accepting those who allow themselves into my life, rather than forcing myself into others’ lives.
How do you manage tending to the variety of responsibilities in the work you do? How do you mitigate burnout or exhaustion?
I manage it by keeping my to-do list well-organized and detailed, haha. I mitigate burnout and exhaustion by making time to exercise or make art in different ways, like drawing and sewing. I spend time with people I love often, too. I’ve also found staying off Instagram as much as possible really helps with burnout and exhaustion. It heightens the expectation I place on myself, when I shouldn’t be comparing myself to anyone at all. It’s easy to get lost in that and waste time doom-scrolling.
Do you have any rituals when you settle in at your studio?
For me, it’s really important to read something a little bit in the morning and make a detailed to-do list of what I need or want to do on that day. Otherwise, I get lost and do stuff I shouldn’t be doing or forget. I forget a lot and get distracted easily.
Is there a moment you look back on as being formative to your identity as an artist?
To be honest, it didn’t occur to me until very recently. About two years ago, I started looking at paintings and gradually realized that I’m more of an artist than anything else.
Are there any influences that are core to your work?
There are many influences that inspire me. I really enjoy the work of Jack Bool, Tyrone Lebon, Jim Goldberg, Frank Lebon, and Daniel Shea. I’m also fascinated by paintings from Louis Fratino, Giorgio Morandi, Andrew Cranston, Francis Bacon, Anthony Cudahy, and Paul Cézanne. Beyond that, I draw inspiration from handcrafted work, including Peter Christensen’s sewing, James Cherry’s lamps, and the designs of Garrett Hunter. There’s just too many.
What do you collect?
I recently started collecting friends’ artwork, art books, and first-edition signed books.
Interviewec by Luca Lotruglio.