Meet Diego Torres-Casso | Artist, Community Organizer, Educator, & Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diego Torres-Casso and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diego, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
I move and make decisions with my heart and gut. When I try something it’s because I have a strong interest in it or a general curiosity of learning something new. I allow that curiously to guide me and try my hardest to not give up. It is rare that I give up, and part of that is because I am a stubborn sagittarius that thinks I can do everything but it also stems from a mentality my family passed down which made me feel empowered to ask for help when I can not do something alone.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is a love letter to my family, my culture, and my community. My family was never able to pursue creativity in their jobs but I saw how creative they were with everything they touched. My mom cooks colorful meals and often uses vegetables my father grows in their backyard garden. My families homes are filled with art, history and so many meaningful trinkets. I have learned so much from them and everything I have been taught is what is found within my art and creative practice. I have been most proud to share my art with my family. Being a queer latino artist will never be easy but my art truly feels like such safe place for me to express myself. I have not yet overcome the challenges of being an artist and that is something that is important to talk about when asked about my profession. I see that for many folks without deep connections in the arts finding your place is really difficult. I see others and have friends who are also experiencing this so it definitely makes me wanna work harder because a win for one of us is a win for us all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
ooooo! With a week I would absolutely visit a few pockets in Los Angeles. They’d be staying with me in East Los Angeles and we would be able to enjoy the colors and sounds that are so present in East LA. We would be getting our coffee and early afternoon drinks from Acurrúcame Café. We’d eat at some of my favorite spots like X’tiosu, Un Solo Sol, Thai Paradise & Daikokuya (in Monterey Park) and getting boba all over the SGV. I would take them to Sequoia Park, the Huntington Library, and Griffith Park and enjoying some powerful LA sun! We would also visit the homies at Planeta, Earthy Corazón, Other Books LA, and Espacio 1839 you cannot come LA and not look around at the amazing stores and small businesses out here. We also would be cheering at BMO while watching Angel City FC play a game. There is always so many things to do in LA but as a local I keep things really chill and love going to the beach, spending time in my hometown (West Covina) and checking out the amazing art all around the city. I truly love LA and the SGV and am always so happy to show people around!!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to shoutout my friends, family, and community over at Las Fotos Project (LFP). I joined LFP during the Fall of 2020 and I immidently knew I found my people. This community has provided me with jobs, exhibition opportunities, access to job security, and truly has shifted how I think of my creative practice and myself as an entrepreneur and artist.

Website: diegotorrescasso.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiodiegito/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diegotorrescasso/

Image Credits
Diego Torres-Casso