JOTO

The Problem: FUERZAfest—a multidisciplinary Latinx LGBTQ+ arts festival presented by the Hispanic Federation—and regional arts institutions required high-impact visual installations to confront systemic oppression and foster dialogue around queer identity. The work needed to directly address complex, deeply rooted social issues: specifically how institutional homophobia and entrenched machismo lead to real-world violence, social pressure, and systemic injustice.

The Strategic Insight: Rather than using abstract symbolism, the installation reclaims "Joto"—a historically derogatory Spanish slur—to strip it of its power and repurpose it into a stark critique of prejudice. By stepping into every role as the artist, photographer, and subject, the creative direction builds an unapologetic, deeply personal narrative. This raw, self-referential approach forces viewers to directly confront the rigid social expectations that define masculinity, the physical vulnerability of queer bodies, and the discriminatory hierarchy of the judicial system.

The Execution:

• Concept & Narrative Development: Formulated the artistic direction, framing, and thematic structure addressing machismo, institutional violence, and queer Latinx identity.

• Fine Art Photography & Self-Portraiture: Planned, lit, directed, and modeled for a series of high-impact self-portraits capturing raw emotion, tension, and social critique.

• Exhibition & Spatial Design: Designed the physical installation layout to optimize viewer engagement, emotional resonance, and narrative pacing across gallery and conference environments.

• Promotional & Exhibition Collateral: Produced promotional visuals, artist statements, and gallery touchpoints tailored for museum, festival, and conference audiences.

The Result: Debuted at FUERZAfest in New York City and subsequently selected for exhibition at the Waves Ahead "One Voice" conference in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts (CMCArts) in St. Croix for their Pride 2023 showcase. The installation sparked vital international dialogue around Latinx queer identity, institutional reform, and the human cost of machismo through multi-disciplinary creative execution.