We had the good fortune of connecting with Marconi Calindas-Cafege and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marconi, what inspires you?

Such a loaded question, whew, there are so many that have inspired me to pursue art and the creative business we are in now. I am definitely inspired by people, their sacrifices, their creativity, their passion and aspirations as well as their struggles and challenges they go through every day. I am inspired by their resilience, how they cope with hardships and still manage to put on a smile also able to lend a helping hand to people in need. I am inspired by other creatives as well. Their insatiable want to produce and create art that specifically brings joy and again inspirations for all. In addition, I am also inspired by my family and friends who have supported me in pursuing my passion for art and have continuously encouraged me to push myself out of my comfort zone and strive for greatness. Overall, it is the combination of all these influences and inspirations that have shaped me into the artist and creative business owner that I am today, constantly striving to create impactful and meaningful art that resonates with others, and hopefully bring change.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

As a proud, living out loud gay, visual artist of color, my art centers around socially relevant topics and issues that affects LGBTQ+ right and through my art, I try and hope to start dialogues on issues that affect all of us especially the queer community. My art is my expression to channel our community’s resilience, how we all cope with challenges in the society. I have been an advocate for equality and acceptance. Hence most of my collection past and present speaks volumes about all of it.

As a kid, i also went through bullying and taunting by people who lack understanding and compassion for unique individuals. However, because of these experiences, it has honed me to always present my best and try to excel in every thing I do. I know, we persevere to prove to the harsh world that we are special and we can contribute something wonderful in this world.

I have become who I am now despite the challenges, and it is not easy to this day but we pull through. As a person of color, as a Filipino-American I realized that some people don’t see color as beauty but an aberration yet through time I have tried to share with them the beauty of diversity and uniqueness. That we all are special. That there is beauty in spite of our differences.

With my art, I want to leave a legacy that can inspire young kids and budding artists from different backgrounds. I want the whole world to keep in mind that my art transcends any canvas and pigment, that my art is an instrument for love and tolerance as I would always say.

 

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh man, whenever friends visit me here in Palm Springs, we start our day with brunch at our favorite diner Bongo Johnny’s where I have created a mural at the patio of the restaurant, I always take pride showing them my art there. Then we go back to our complex to dip into the complex pool. We go for dinner either at Spencer’s, 1501, or our favorite Mexican place La Tablita and we end the night meeting local friends for a night of Karaoke at V Wine Lounge, Hunters, or One Eleven Bar.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be here without the encouragement, support and belief of my spouse Adam, who sees me through and who have pushed me to be the artist that I am today.

Website: www.marconicalindas.com

Instagram: @marconicalindas

Facebook: facebook.com/marconicalindasart

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@TraVlogAdamMarconi

Image Credits
Marconi Calindas

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