Art is how I process life turning chaos into meaning and giving voice to what’s hard to say out loud.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
My favorite type of art to create is documentary-style photography and visual storytelling. I enjoy capturing real people, cultures, and moments that tell a story. A lot of my work focuses on subcultures and communities, like lowrider culture, because I like showing the craftsmanship, identity, and pride within those spaces. I’m especially drawn to images that feel honest and cinematic at the same time where lighting, composition, and emotion all work together to make the viewer fee
Where do you find inspiration?I find inspiration mostly in real life and the communities around me. I am really drawn to subcultures and everyday moments that tell deeper stories. Growing up in a Mexican and Salvadoran household, culture, family, and identity naturally influence the way I see and document the world. A lot of my inspiration also comes from documentary photography and cinema. I like studying how filmmakers and photographers use light, composition, and atmosphere to make something feel emotional and authentic.
What would you do with $25,000?If I had 25,000 dollars, I would use it to begin producing my first feature film. My priority would be building a small but professional production setup that allows me to tell a strong story while keeping the crew and equipment manageable. A large part of the budget would go toward securing a camera package centered around the Sony FX9. This camera produces high quality cinematic images, strong dynamic range, and performs well in different lighting conditions. I would pair it with a few versat
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