Nuyorican artist Gerardo Castro was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico in 1967 and received his MFA from Pratt Institute, NY in 1996. His work has been exhibited internationally and nationally in places like Cuba, Puerto Rico, República Dominicana, China, and in main US cities: Nueva York, Los Ángeles, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, Dallas and Massachusetts.
Gerardo Castro: The human body has inspired artists across all times and nowadays there’s a new way to perceive the body, and how it’s used to create art. I use my body in my work of art, as a way to connect with my culture and history and to explore the intersections of race, gender, spirituality and power.
EP: How do you get inspired?
GC: During the last three years, indigo and fire have played an important role in my works of art. I draw the silhouette of my body on a steel sheet, I cut it and burn it over paper. The images of the burnt body suggest a “primitive” magical transformation. Then I paint thin layers of indigo paint over the burnt images. In many cultures, indigo is associated with magic and spiritual rituals.
Gerardo Castro junto a su obra "Burning Flag", foto de Michael Gabor
"I use my body to connect with my culture”
Elisa Pritzker: Your art has an interesting and profound Message. How do you describe what you do?