In Conversation with John Rivas: Spitting Hard Truths in his Gritty Mixed Media Art
Portrait by Maxim Ryazansky.
John Rivas’ art centers Latinx experiences intensely, organically, and authentically on the canvas. The current Columbia MFA student tells tales of family, belonging, and identity in his gritty mixed media works. Rivas spits hard truths about who he is and what his work means. So listen closely.
GG: Congrats on the many group shows you've been included in 2019-2020. What's the main thing you want viewers to walk away with?
JR: Your life is important. You're unique. Don’t shy away from your obstacles or your blessings. Your story can help those who are in need. Shed light to help the voiceless. Your experiences can save a life, you can be the bridge to future generations. Through any creative form, whether, painting, music, dance, that expression can turn the darkest into beauty.
Hijo Mio, courtesy of Thierry Goldberg Gallery.
The term in Spanish, "ni de aquí, ni de allá" (not from here, or there), how does that resonate with you? With your Salvadoran-American identity?
It's a blessing and a curse. Here in America I'm a full Salvadorian but back in El Salvador I'm considered a gringo. My whole life I was raised in a Salvadorian home. Both parents immigrated from there so my customs, traditions, and beliefs that are deeply rooted to the motherland. But being born and raised in Newark, New Jersey adds a different layer of skin to who I am. Two different narratives make up my life, so when it comes to my practice the tales of both worlds come into existence.
And how do you address those feelings of belonging and identity in your work?
My works are diary entries of my life, personal experiences, or of my family, so I always tell the truth. I never sugar coat shit, I am who I am, and never try to dumb myself down for anyone. Every single piece is home. I can remark each work as a memory. I can name every single figure or location. Just like writers write, I paint shit that’s speaking to me. It’s my own language.
“Just like writers write, I paint shit that’s speaking to me. It’s my own language.”
Gone go get it, courtesy of the artist.
Can you talk about your aesthetic? You use a layered approach of mixed media elements on the canvas, to tell these very layered narratives about community and personal histories.
It all comes down to not having a lot, to not having enough bread to buy hella canvases. My first year as an art student was a rude awakening. Realizing how expensive art supplies were. To cope with it I used wood, metals from my pops’ construction garage, and even trash from the street to make surfaces to work on. I use whatever I can get my hands on, even till this day. My work is very hands on, and I can get very gritty with it. I come from a very intensive labor background. I myself have worked in construction, landscaping and a factory with my moms, so I aint scared to get my hands dirty.
TITI, courtesy of the artist.
What's next for 2020, but real talk, feel free to be honest about these uncertain times we're in and how you're coping.
For the rest of 2020, I got some shows lined up in the Fall and towards the end of the year, hopefully they pull through. But to keep it a buck, I don’t know what's gonna happen so I just live day by day, pray for my people, and stay safe. To cope with it, I just try to better myself as a human being, value my health, improve as an artist, son, brother, boyfriend and homie. What's meant for me will come if not, it's all good. The only thing I can control is the work I put in.
“To cope with it, I just try to better myself as a human being, value my health, improve as an artist, son, brother, boyfriend and homie.”
Llegando a la frontera, courtesy of Latchkey Gallery.
