Meet Jynx Prado: Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jynx Prado and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jynx, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I felt that my interests were more expressive than any other career path so I took the chance.

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.
My art practice is interdisciplinary from painting and sculptures to performance and installation works. I look at the natural and artificial elements that are found in environmental, cultural and social spaces and how they interact with each other through irony, humor and the human condition. Recently I have been making work that relates to the evolving cultural norms and social issues that have been developing due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19 by illustrating, documenting and critiquing what has been going on. Every day since the Los Angeles shut down began nearly a year ago I have created drawings and planned performance pieces that are both photographic and video recorded to create a conversation and think about the impact of those affected by COVID-19 and what needs to be changed to heal from it. It has not been easy since the pandemic started. I graduated from Otis College of Art and Design with my MFA in the spring of 2020 in the early days of the pandemic. Since then I was on my own for a period of time and I just kept making the small drawings that I would then develop to bigger concepts that spread to photography, video and paintings through the winter of 2020 and as of the start of 2021. I had to stay at a healthy state of mind to endure the first few months and I can contribute that to the works I have developed through the pandemic as a form of art therapy. It’s been nearly a year since the pandemic started and in a few months it will be a year since I graduated from my final year of college. What i learned so far since then is always have plans and stay committed to what your practice is no matter the limited supply of work, space or even opportunities that may be limited like what happened during the pandemic.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My hometown South Gate has a lot of family and local businesses that gives a unique experience in Los Angeles. I always love to shop and eat in my town when I want to have a relaxing day because it really does feel like my kind of Los Angeles. 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 would like to thank Slanguage Studios, CSU Dominguez Hills Arts Program and the Otis College of Arts program and all staff and mentors that work in all these creative and community spaces.

Website: www.pradoartist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pradoart/?hl=en