The full view and a close up of Nico’s art installation at 220 2nd Ave S in Seattle. (📸: GrowingBoyMedia)
nico-gallery.com | @chicanoart206 | Nico’s art installation, Mariposa Migrantes, is located at 220 2nd Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98104
Hi, Nico! Tell us about your artistic focus.
I focus on figurative/ portraits based off photos that were taken while living abroad or traveling.
Please share with us more about your participation with Seattle Restored – and what inspired the pieces that you have included in your active space/installation.
The series I have active in Pioneer Square, Mariposa Migrantes, is made of up wood panels, old doors and room dividers. Each subject matter is holding a map that is morphed into a monarch butterfly wing. Each map represents the country the original photos were taken in. I’m connecting the migration of monarch butterflies and human migration. Countries included are: US, Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua.
The full view and a close up of Nico’s art installation at 220 2nd Ave S in Seattle. (📸: GrowingBoyMedia)
What’s a current project you’re working on, and how can your Seattle Restored participation help you with it?
I’m currently working on a mural in an elementary school in the Auburn, Wa area. My active exhibition with Seattle Restored is practically a mural but done on wood panels, doors, and room dividers. It’ll transfer to the elementary school mural in regard to size and size of the subject matter. I’m doing something similar in regards to wood panels and portraits.
What’s the most rewarding part of your artistic pursuits?
Creating more art.
What are you looking forward to this year?
I’m looking forward to more art and time with my family. I’m also a proponent of a good work life balance which includes art, cooking, gardening, landscaping, home improvements, family, work, teaching, yoga, mountain biking, snowboarding and surfing. Without all of them none would work for me.
What brings you most alive about working or living in Seattle?
Living close to outdoor activities. I’m not going to sugar coat anything but Seattle needs a lot of work and this is why the Seattle Restored program is so critical.
If you could give any one piece of advice to locals, what would it be?
Don’t be a stock item on the shelf. Just be yourself.
➡️ Read more about Nico and check out the full details about this Seattle Restored art installation on the Seattle Restored blog.
Seattle Restored revives Seattle neighborhoods with creativity and commerce! Seattle Restored calls our local artists and entrepreneurs to reinvigorate our city by activating empty storefronts. These pop-up and art installation activations benefit neighborhoods, small businesses, artists and property owners by creating vibrant and engaging streetscapes that encourage the public to visit downtown Seattle, support local businesses and artists – particularly Black, Indigenous, and other entrepreneurs and artists of color.