Juan Hernandez

Nicolás Dumit Estévez Raful Espejo Ovalles Morel: Juan, it is a pleasure to meet you through this conversation. My introduction to your life and work was initiated by Mai Tran and Ed Woodham. Ed recently hosted a solo exhibition of your art at his SHOWROOM in Manhattan. I saw your portraits and I thought about commissioning one of them but, instead, I figured that I wanted to hear your voice. What are you resting with at this very moment? In other words, where are you finding comfort and solace in the now?

 Juan Hernandez: Comfort and solace? There is no comfort and solace in my world. From the age of 16 it’s been a constant struggle. A struggle against the court system to acquire my freedom. A struggle with the prison administration to acquire an education. A struggle with the art market to see past my mistake. A struggle with my environment. A struggle with time. As I said, a constant struggle. And I wouldn't have it no other way because comfort and solace mean that I'm okay with my current situation(s) and an automatic motivation-killer which leads to no creativity. My answer may come off a bit aggressive, but this adaptation of mentality within my environment has given me the strength to break barriers placed in front of me which others may give up on. Of course, none of my achievements would be possible without the help of some wonderful individuals who brought the sledge hammers to demolish these barriers alongside me and free my creativity.

NDEREOM: I have seen your portraits and read about them. However, would you talk about your creative path for those for whom this is new? How did this all start with you?

 JH: I vividly remember that steel door first closing behind me, leaving me prisoner in a maximum-security cell with nothing but a sheet, mattress and a roll of toilet paper thinking, "Damn, is this going to be my life for the next 45 years?" I had no savings, no assets and was financially dependent on a single mother of two. My creative path began that very moment as a financial necessity and I found art as the tool to get me out of poverty. As time went by though, I started seeing my art as less of a payout and more of an extension of myself, a creation that bares no burden or penalty inside these walls and can easily express my freedom and voice on the outside. With that being, said each of my creations takes its own unique manifestation depending on the subject. For example, when a great opportunity presents itself like Ed Woodham's SHOWROOM, Ed, Mai and myself all collaborated together on how we could make it work due to my unique incarceration, which limits the things we can do. Usually, an artist statement sets the foundation of a project followed by a tally of materials I can use. This prison doesn't sell any art materials whatsoever so I have to be real selective on what I use now. Then comes the fun part where the day room area or cell is transformed into an art studio and I lose myself in my expression of freedom, no longer feeling incarcerated.

NDEREOM: Some of those who you have depicted in your portraits include Angela Davis – who I had the opportunity to hear/see at the Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas –, and Maya Angelou, who I greatly admire. Aside from the commissions that you receive, how do you decide who is going to inhabit your artwork and what have you learned from those you paint, as you bring them forward into the world through colors?

 JH: My decision on who inhibits my artwork usually depends on who I'm reading about at the moment or the way a picture of a person or place might trigger a moment of feeling the freedom I so desire. And with that an urgent need sometimes comes over me to paint the portrait or landscape without it having a history of importance other that providing me a sense of happiness. As for what I've learned about those individuals I decide to paint... I've learned that we all have a calling, a purpose in life for us to achieve and a legacy to leave behind, but it is our choice to either walk the path or sit around doing nothing. I implore everyone to take that first step, if not for themselves, then for those who may benefit from your journey.

NDEREOM: You were imprisoned at the age of 16, technically speaking when you were still a child. Who were the mentors and elder figures who looked after you and in whom you found wisdom as you moved into adulthood? Can you elaborate on them?

JH: I sometimes let my artwork help to display an answer, to whom it is I aim to achieve similar goals to. One person I would like to mention is the late great Dr.Burroughs who co-founded the DuSable Museum in Chicago. This wonderful human being would show up once a week religiously at Stateville Correctional Center, a maximum-security prison, so artists could have a couple hours out of their cells and become creators in an empty classroom which was transformed into a communal art studio. She wasn't there to teach us how to draw or paint, because according to her that gift was already inside of us waiting to be opened. What she did do was expand our minds as creators and one way was by asking us deep questions like, "What will your legacy be?" I'd never been asked that before in my life and I had no clue on how to answer it other than to shrug my shoulders. I remember her smiling at me while placing a comforting hand on my arm and replying, "Give it some thought." I wish she could see my progress and the growth I've undertaken since we last saw one another. I wonder if I'll ever be able to answer her question...”What will your legacy be?"

NDEREOM: I exhibited at the DuSable Museum and I thank you for that piece of herstory. I thank this visionary for opening doors for many of us. I did not meet Margaret Burroughs and she has impacted my path as well.

What are your spiritual practices besides art? To me all art initially had a sacred purpose and this has been lost as the field is mainly seen and managed as an industry –as career– rather than as a path or a calling?

 JH: Prayer. I believe prayer is a line of communication with the ultimate creator (however that is represented in one’s life) which listens and helps us to achieve our purpose in this wonderful experience we call life.

 NDEREOM: Concepts like payer are now cool in the Art Industry. I remember artists like Linda Mary Montano praying with me and how praying was a big taboo in the Arts (with capital A), when some of us were bringing it into gallery and museum spaces, even if from a secular perspective. But the Art industry tends to coopt almost everything and trivialize it for money purposes. Now healing and self-care are trendy words amongst artists and curators.

Talking about the art market (which to me is a euphemism for the Art industry), how has been your experience navigating the prison industrial complex as a creative?

 JH: As I mentioned earlier, a struggle. Despite what the prison administration might post on all its official paperwork, rehabilitating someone is its last priority and anyone achieving anything outside their control is deemed a troublemaker and nuisance. How else can you explain the absurdity on how someone in here receives good-time for washing dishes in the inmate kitchen and I receive harassment for being in art galleries. I've had incidents where wet paintings are left face down on the floor by correctional officers during random cell searches. I've had painting damaged by the prison’s mail room. I've had all my art materials confiscated and destroyed (over a thousand dollars’ worth of art materials that took years to acquire) when transferred to another prison which labeled it contraband. I've had Mai permanently restricted from video visits for simply asking if it was possible to record one of my artist statements through it. Recently I was even threatened with a disciplinary ticket for being an incarcerated artist without their permission! With all the troubles Dixon Correctional Center has going on, like a severe drug epidemic where guys are continuously overdosing, they deemed that my creativity was more important to investigate and try to punish!

 NDEREOM: How do you connect with love, affection and community in the place where you are now physically?

 JH: I connect through my creativity, through any lines of communication available to me and by giving my time. This time may be given as a phone call, letter, painting or a project. Last year I was able to connect with my alma mater Benito Juarez High School and the After School Matters program through a residency with CPS Lives. This year that same residency has expanded with high school students throughout the city of Chicago and with the help of Sophia Padgett Pérez, who is the artistic director of the mentioned nonprofit organization, I'm able to reach my community’s youth with a project I named "Movimiento." The first project was showcased in Heaven Gallery and this next one will possibly be showcased at the Design Museum in their atrium gallery in downtown Chicago. I've been fortunate enough to not let my physical barriers get in the way of making a difference in our youth’s community and bringing some positivity into their lives. As for love and affection, I have been blessed with a partner who offers both in abundance and she is my lifeline to these emotions. We utilize every means of communication available to us and stick to our motto of unconditional love.

 NDEREOM: I read about Jarvis Jay Masters and I teach his work in my classes. The image that stayed with me is the one of a bird that an incarcerated person in the same complex as Jarvis was going to hurt, making Jarvis ask him not do so because, that bird has my […his…] wings. This points to the concept of interbeing and interdependence as articulated by Thích Nhất Hạnh. I am wondering about the metaphorical wings in the portraits that you are painting, and how they help your art fly out from your space and into the wider world. Have you been in touch with those housing your art?

JH: In the past I'd never even received a photograph of my artwork to keep as a reference, but now that I have an Instagram page it has made it much easier for individuals to reach out to me. It’s now a breeze for someone to DM me a screenshot of a commissioned painting I did for them which I can also post and share with my followers who can view my progression as an artist. A couple years ago I did a commissioned painting of an owner’s dog titled Good Doggie and the art collector wrote me a letter out the blue. In it she explained how much she treasured it because her dog had recently passed away from cancer. She didn't know that I received that letter right after I landed in solitary confinement. It was the only piece of property I had in that cell and I read it about ten times throughout the day. That night I realized how much value and love my work creates in the lives of the art collectors and how it manifests itself back to me in my times of need like a comforting letter. Many other art collectors have sent me messages through DM, snail mail, books and some have even helped out by writing letters of support to present to the judge. It is a great honor to use my creative gifts and give it freedom from this prison finding its own space in someone’s home.

NDEREOM: Where do you find beauty in a daily basis?

JH: I find beauty every morning when I look in the mirror (laughing out loud). For those that know me on a personal level they'll tell you I love to laugh. In prison one has to adopt a certain sense of humor to survive mentally in an environment where negativity reigns supreme. Being able to get a good laugh at things when they go horribly wrong helps me avoid sulking in the negativity or diving into a deep depression. After a good laugh or even a short chuckle, depending on the situation, I can see the beauty in this cruel world’s sense of humor and then start figuring out my next move that will lead towards positivity.

 NDEREOM: What is your own understanding of an artist, which I now call a creative?

JH: My understanding of an artist being also known as a creative...Would be any individual that can demonstrate and release their feelings, thoughts and passion into their craft.

NDEREOM: I thank for talking with me. I tried sending you a message through one of the communication companies that profits financially from managing correspondence with the incarcerated and it was so extremely difficult. I tried for hours and gave up. And I can only imagine what it takes for those where you are to get their voices out. Please say out loud anything that you would like those reading this conversation to hear, or simply say what needs to be released in you.

 JH: I want to release the great amount of gratitude and appreciation that I feel towards everyone who has helped me while in prison. I've achieved more than most who share the same enclosure as me due to one great factor in difference...my support system. My family, partner, friends, advocates, art collectors, art curators, professors, journalists, Instagram followers and numerous organizations including Midwest Books To Prisoners and art galleries have all come to my aid, whether they know it or not, with their metaphoric sledge hammers in hand and demolished barriers placed in front of me by a system of oppression. One can have all the talent in the world, but if they don't have anyone who cares about them then that talent usually isn't nurtured and is eventually forgotten. You've all nurtured my creativity and voice never making me feel alone or abandoned so I strive every day to show everyone how their support can achieve amazing results. A final thank you to you Nicolás who helped me dig deep within myself and find the answers to questions I never gave much thought to. You have a wonderful platform and it is an honor to have been a part of it.

NDEREOM: May we continue to get blessed with the creative work that you do and may your incarceration situation be resolved as soon as possible. Much love, Juan, you inspire me very much. I close this conversation with tears in my eyes and promise to laugh later today in your honor.

All images courtesy of Juan Hernandez

Juan Hernandez’s links: Art in Odd Places / Instagram / Linktree

Juan Hernandez is an incarcerated artist born and raised in Chicago. His artwork has been exhibited at Angelica Kauffman Gallery, dragonFLY Gallery, and Art in Odd Places, amongst others. He has been profiled in Latino Rebels and has received support from The Puffin Foundation and the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures. He is currently an artist-in-residence at CPS Lives, where he is working on the project “Movimiento” in collaboration with After School Matters and students from his alma mater, Benito Juarez High School. To follow him online click HERE