José Flores Nava Margarita Cup (04)

José M. Flores Nava (he, him, él) is a Southern California based artist. He was born in Mexico and moved to the U.S. at the age of 12 years old. While interest in the visual arts came at an early age, it was not until college that he decided to pursue art as a field of study. Using a combination of ceramic hand building techniques, slip cast objects, and brightly colored surface treatments, he creates sculptures that are reflections of the undocumented immigrant community. He focuses on the relationship the undocumented community, products of labor and familiar objects that we often take for granted. The sculptures are sometimes nested in forms associated with outdoor utilitarian needs, as well as nested in domestic vessels’ consisting of platers and bowls. Echoing the commercial phrase “farm-to-table,” Nava’s work asks the viewer to consider not only the means that sustain our society, but also, the individuals whose labor said society depends on. José Flores Nava holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from California State University, Fullerton. He is a DACA recipient and is currently pursuing a career as an educator. Places he has exhibited include, Grand Central Art Center, Irvine Fine Arts Center, American Museum of Ceramic Art, Riverside Art Museum, Brea Gallery, ALMA’S RVA, Eutectic Gallery, and Norther Clay Center and Rio Hondo Art Gallery.  

Artist Statement: 

As a potter, it’s my job to give meaning to the vessel. Vessels that are used as a substitute to the human body; vessels that resemble outdoor utilitarian objects; or vessels that echo the phrase “farm to table.” As an immigrant, it’s my duty to use my voice to speak about the undocumented laborer. The laborer that grows, picks and cooks your food. The laborer that went from being “low-skilled” to “essential.” The laborer that fits the general consensus that undocumented immigrants do the jobs Americans don’t want to do. The laborer that is talked about using statistics rather than their humanity. The laborer that gets left out from a lot of conversations and a seat at the table. As a maker, I chose to make slip-cast vegetables in order to remove the familiar produce we know. Produce cast with stoneware clay making them strong yet fragile. Produce brightly painted to make their presence known.