¡Hola!

I am a Boston-based artist and educator that draws inspiration from complex life experiences to create a world known as Juantopia.

My artwork is shaped and influenced by the challenges of of witnessing violence in my neighborhood and my household in my childhood, with themes of bigotry, trauma, spousal abuse, and alienation.

At the center of my work is Burd, a cartoonish parakeet symbolizing myself that is inspired by the many parakeets my grandmother had in her backyard in Puerto Rico. The creatures and nightmarish atmospheres, and the vast void that Burd traverses, represent the harsh realities of mental health, living in a world where, despite personal growth, one can feel stuck. There are stigmas associated with being Hispanic/Latino and the shame imposed by judgmental pointing fingers. My work is designed to shock, provoke, and challenge the viewer, pushing them to confront these issues head-on.

I invite you to explore Juantopia through the eyes of Burd and to connect with me if my art resonates with you.

-Juan G. Santos