Joshua Nazario's Art: A Window into Puerto Rican Culture
Exploring culture, identity, and the power of self-expression
Joshua Nazario's art reflects the world around him - Puerto Rican culture, identity, and consumerism. A self-taught painter and sculptor, Nazario's journey into the arts began through skateboarding. "Being part of that culture, where multi-talented individuals are driven to create and express themselves, eventually influenced me to create," Nazario revealed.
Over time, he has experimented with various mediums, eventually finding his voice as sculptor. This passion for sculpture emerged unexpectedly in 2020 when Nazario, a race car enthusiast, wanted a miniature model of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI, but couldn't afford it. He decided to create his own version, which led to Clandestino (pictured with artist above). Nazario works with humble materials, creating sculptures in cement as a nod to the material most commonly used in Puerto Rico.
In his recent work, Nazario explores the complex identity and history of Puerto Ricans and the United States. Partida (Departure) features a reflection of Nazario gazing out of an airplane window at Puerto Rico. "When creating it, I wanted to reflect on the massive waves of people leaving Puerto Rico in search of a 'better life' abroad. This was such a foreign topic to me until recently, when I started questioning my future on the island," he explained.
In Guasábara (Riot) (above), Nazario portrays a scene in Talladega, one of NASCAR's most famous circuits built on Native American land. "In addition to what happened in North America, this work reflects the history of conquest in Puerto Rico and the rest of Latin America, a guasábara," Nazario shared on Instagram.
Currently finishing his undergraduate degree at the University of Puerto Rico, Nazario was featured in Tanda Francis and Diego Anaya's inaugural group show at Black Brick Project in New York City, Familiar Faces. In addition to working towards his college degree, Nazario creating art examining the impact of automobiles and motorsports in Puerto Rico, which he hopes to exhibit soon.
In today's social media-obsessed world, Nazario stands out as a rare exception. He believes that social media pressures artists, particularly early in their careers, to create work that is popular rather than authentic. For Nazario, the key to staying focused on his work is not taking the creative process or himself too seriously. "That has helped me maintain a healthy artistic practice," he shared.
Nazario’s work invites us to engage with the rich tapestry of Puerto Rican culture, from a typical farm scene (Rally del Campo) to celebrated Puerto Rican athletes (Clemente) to scenes of hope (brincacharcos II) to pieces that simply bring him joy (Madre, Hijo y Jugete). His commitment to authenticity and self-expression, offers a refreshing perspective and serves as inspiration to all creators.
Thank you for sharing your incredible practice and ethos with us, Joshua. To see and inquire about his work, follow him @santosybrujos