Meet noé olivas | Artist & Educator

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

Hi noé, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Taking risks has always been a challenge for me. It can be hard for me to make decisions at times. What has been helpful for me in those moments are to check-in within myself and ask these questions:

1) Can I afford to take a risk? Am I in a healthy position financially, mentally, physically, and spiritually to make a clear decision?

2) What are the pros and cons? I make a list and a mind map of all the possible outcomes. I am a visual person. Making a list helps me to see the vision, organize my thoughts, and manifest my goals.

3) Can I change my perspective? Instead of thinking about it as a risk, can I think about it as a learning opportunity, a chance to prototype something new, or treat it as an investment to my growth?

4) How will this risk impact the other areas in my life including my family, friends and community? I try to be mindful about that and see how the risk can create opportunities for all of us. Collaboration is a key component in my practice.

Lastly, I pray and meditate on it. What I can tell you about taking risks is it has taught me how to strategize and imagine different possibilities. It has also taught me that I am human and I will make mistakes. Yet it is through those mistakes that I pick myself up, apply what I learn for the next opportunity, and grow.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I just finished my first solo show at the Crenshaw Dairy Mart (CDM) entitled Gilded Dreams, curated by Ana Briz. This body of work was very important for me to create. It’s an installation that I’ve been thinking about for many years. CDM gave me the opportunity to show this work in partnership with my gallerists, Charlie James and Ever Velasquez.

The work speaks to the current political condition of the United States and Mexican border, environmental justice, and spirituality. The goal of the work is to imagine a world without borders as they cause harm to people, the environment, and create division.

This body of work is a combination of sculpture, painting, performance, and video work.
I tend to work with different mediums. I’m always trying to challenge myself and learn new ways of making art. It’s just another way to exercise and expand my vocabulary through materials. One of my mentors always tells me, “once you have touched the material, that’s when the collaboration process has begun.” The material has its own nature and will tell you what it wants you to do in the end. Art making is all about trusting the process.

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?
The spots that I show people when they come to LA are the Crenshaw Dairy Mart in Inglewood for some culture. Mercado La Paloma in South Central for some good food and agua fresca. And lastly, Ascot Hills Park near Boyle Heights to look over the city of Los Angeles. I feel those are some good spots to really get to know the real Los Angeles. This also includes the commute to get to the spots. You learn a lot about LA going through the different neighborhoods instead of going on the freeway.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family and partner are really important to me. Their support and love has allowed me to grow in many ways. I’m very thankful for them. I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without them. A big shout out to them.

Another important group and more local to the Los Angeles area is the Crenshaw Dairy Mart. They have become an extension of my family. The last 7 years, ali reza dorriz, Patrisse Cullors and I co-founded and established CDM. The first two years we spent time imagining and inviting other creatives/ community members to be in conversation with us. We discussed how CDM can be a possible resource for the city of Inglewood and how we can use the tools of imagination and art to shape this reality. Through our conversions, we landed on our three pillars: Ancestry, Abolition, and Healing. These three values have shaped the way I show up in space for myself and others.

It informs and introduces new ways of thinking, imagining, and making art. It has encouraged me to seek my family history to understand where I come from to know where I am going, called or known as the practice of Sankofa. It has taught me the importance of community building and accountability. I have witnessed the power of collective healing. Most importantly it has taught me to see and move in the world through an abolitionist framework. This means to start divesting from the prisons and police, and create more space of care, healing, and growth. Punishment culture such as prison and police cause harm to our communities, and we believe in moving and centering care and love in our relationships. It’s very important to start practicing this now considering the current political climate and environmental crisis we are in. It’s all about love: loving each other and mother earth.

Website: www.noeolivas.com

Instagram: @calmatetupedo