Meet Erik Barrios-recendez | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erik Barrios-recendez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erik, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk-taking has been an indispensable part of my professional growth. As an artist without a bachelor’s degree, I wasn’t taken as seriously in the art world, and I decided to go back to school and graduated from UC Berkeley in December 2023. There, I was mentored by renowned artists such as Stephanie Syjuco, and I learned so much about the art world’s inner mechanisms, which has helped me navigate my career. This would not have happened if I hadn’t left behind my support system. It was a chance to build new networks and expand my reach, challenging myself to thrive in a different environment, and it paid off. I recently completed a rigorous 4-month artist-in-residence program at Art Share LA, and I exhibit and sell my artwork regularly.

In the art world, risk is inherent. Whether applying for residencies, artist calls, or grants, the process is often uncertain, and success isn’t guaranteed. Pursuing a career in the arts is a gamble that requires passion, resilience, and the willingness to embrace failure repeatedly. The love for the community drives me forward, knowing we are all risking it together out of passion.

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 first-generation Mexican American raised in a modest Catholic household in the Inland Empire suburbs, my artistic path has been shaped by my cultural background and the challenges I faced. Growing up as the child of blue-collar immigrants—my mom a hairdresser and my dad a construction worker—art wasn’t a part of our family life. Financial constraints and the pressure to pursue more traditional career paths posed significant hurdles. Yet, I learned to embrace my identity and artistic potential through resilience and the support of mentors like Sholeh Asgary and Stephanie Syjuco. Art became my refuge, a means to fantasize about grander possibilities, and I embarked on this journey early on, continuing to evolve today.

In December 2023, I graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Fine Arts. I recently completed the rigorous Ellsworth Artist in Residency program at Art Share LA. I spent four months there creating work for alum exhibitions, leading artist talks, and receiving critiques from industry professionals. This experience was invaluable, and it ignited my passion for future residencies.

Currently, I share my love for art as a specialist at the Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College and Romer Young Gallery in San Francisco. Being deeply immersed in the art world allows me to connect with a vibrant network of individuals who share my interests. I’m excited about doing more residencies, selling more work, and building my exhibition roster in the future. I am eager to continue contributing to and engaging with the community that inspires me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friends were visiting, I’d take them to the Arts District in downtown LA. We’d start our adventure by exploring mega art institutions like Hauser & Wirth, the Geffen Contemporary, and the Institute of Contemporary Art LA. I’d recommend wrapping up the day at Hauser & Wirth, where we could enjoy a drink and a bite to eat at Manuela, soaking in the relaxing and inviting ambiance while savoring some delicious cocktails. This area has dozens of galleries and highlights the LA art scene, which would be a fantastic experience for them!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my mentors, especially Sholeh Asgary and Stephanie Syjuco, my professors at UC Berkeley, who played an instrumental role in shaping my journey. They instilled in me a deep sense of self-acceptance which, on my personal journey, was one of my biggest obstacles. Through their mentorship, I learned to embrace the complexities of my identity as a queer, Chicanx artist and to channel that into my work unapologetically. I carry their lessons with me in everything I create.

Website: https://erikrecendez.wixsite.com/artwebsite

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-recendez/

Image Credits
Courtesy of the artist