Vibrant Memories and Identity Exploration: Delvin Lugo's 'Early Life in Neon

Tune in to 'The Truth in This Art' and join Rob Lee on a journey through the minds of artists and the essence of their masterpieces. For today, our guest is Delvin Lugo, a New York-based Dominican painter whose vibrant series, "Early Life in Neon," revisits memories from his hometown in Moncion, Dominican Republic. These paintings celebrate the positive and comic aspects of his family's rural life before their emigration to the United States when he was twelve. Delvin's work highlights resourcefulness and improvisation intertwined with his early expressions of identity as a gay boy interested in fashion and the fabulous. He incorporates bold, fluorescent colors and black light effects to accentuate the spirit of playfulness, capturing delight, resilience, and a tenacious joy. With an art foundation from Maine College of Art and a BFA from School of Visual Arts, Delvin's paintings reflect his childhood memories and explore themes of identity, nostalgia, and the immigrant experience.

Throughout this episode:

• Delve into how Delvin Lugo's childhood memories and the vibrant colors of the Dominican Republic shape his artistic work.
• Explore how Delvin's background in the fashion industry influences his art, incorporating elements of fashion and clothing into his paintings.
• Uncover the themes of identity, nostalgia, and the immigrant experience that Delvin's artwork explores.
• Investigate the diverse techniques Delvin employs in his painting process, such as collage and sketching.
• Examine how Delvin draws inspiration from everyday life and embraces improvisation while creating his paintings.

 
This is an episode you don't want to miss! Delvin discusses his journey as an artist and the inspiration behind his work. Growing up in a small town in the Dominican Republic, Delvin was introduced to art by his older brother and developed a passion for painting and drawing. After moving to the United States, he pursued a career in fashion before returning to his true passion of painting. Delvin's work is characterized by vibrant colors, geometric patterns, and a focus on clothing and fashion. He explores themes of identity, nostalgia, and the immigrant experience in his paintings. Delvin's work has been featured in various exhibitions and galleries, and he is currently part of a group show at Calderon Gallery in New York City.

Mentioned in this episode:

Delvin's website

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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