We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chee Bravo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chee below.

Chee, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I left my home country Trinidad & Tobago to pursue an education in the Arts in the United States. I had saved just enough money over a period of four years to attend a small private college in Miami, Florida for one year. As an immigrant I could not work so the money I came with was all I had. I plunged into my studies, pushing myself to the limit while relishing the opportunity to follow my dream, even if it was only for one year. I surpassed my expectations earning several awards and recognitions. At the end of that year, to my delight, my parents decided to help me financially through the next three years of college. I graduated cum laude earning my BFA Degree from Florida International University (FIU). Decades later, I’m a U.S. citizen pursuing a full-time career in the Fine Arts after relocating from Miami to Trenton, NJ. I left my position as the lead designer at Miami-Dade County’s Communication Department to become a full-time printmaker, multimedia artist, mother and wife. I feel extremely fortunate to share this dream with my soul mate, the love of my life and inspiration, my Juan and only.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I always knew I wanted to be an artist from a very young age. However during my high school years I segued into the sciences because I thought that was expected of me. After leaving high school I decided to pursue a career in the arts instead of the sciences. I received an AA Degree in Communication from International Fine Arts College and a BFA Degree in Printmaking from Florida International University. I worked as a Graphic Designer for several private companies and the County of Miami-Dade in Florida. During this period, I received several prestigious design awards including an Addy Award. Currently I am a full-time artist in Trenton, NJ. My artistic work ranges from two-dimensional works in Printmaking and Painting, to three-dimensional bricolage, to immersive, multimedia installations. My cumulative approach to my work reflects my traditional beginnings as a printmaker, my career in graphic design, and my childhood growing up in the culturally diverse Caribbean islands known for its celebratory, annual pageantry called Carnival.
My immersive, multimedia installations stem from my “Deity” bricolage work. The work is based on my interpretation of society’s attitudes towards preconceived notions. The focus is to draw the audience into these experiences through multimedia, and in doing so question the viewer’s mindset.
The key to my two-dimensional works involves photography, photoshop and printmaking. I create digital collages from photographs taken. These digital collages are then separated into film to create my silkscreens or used as references for my paintings or mixed media works. Working with silkscreens to create my imagery involves a series of complex challenges which I find taxing and mentally stimulating. To see my vision come to life on paper or canvas after much deliberation is pure joy. Each of the following works listed here have been pivotal in my growth as an artist: “Subway Performers-Barcelona”, “Havana-La Cantora”, “Samba in the Park”, and the “El Camino” series. “Subway Performers-Barcelona” is my most ambitious silkscreen to date because 14 screens were made for each color used. “Havana-La Cantora” is a mixed media work where Santeria, a pantheistic Afro-Cuban folk religion, is incorporated through the symbols/markings found on the singer’s dress. “Samba in the Park” is the first large-scaled silkscreen to depict movement, deviating from the static performances. And, the “El Camino” silkscreen series. These images were used to make the 12’ banners for the “Path of Miracles” immersive, performance tour with the Lotus Project of Trenton. The ongoing performer series have transitioned to capturing lyrical moments in time with carefully chosen subjects through form and color.
This renewed dedication to my craft for the past 13 years have been recognized and validated upon receipt of a 2022 New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowship. My work can be found in several private collections and museums.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes, I wish I had access to courses about the business of art before leaving collage.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mission has always been to be the very best me, and this certainly drives my creative journey. My short-term goals are to apply for solo shows, create more immersive installations and to secure a spot as an artist in residence at the Guanlan Print Base in Shenzhen, China. I believe this residency would give me the tools and expertise to take my printmaking to the next level. To be invited to install at the Tate Museum in London would be the pinnacle of my creative journey and my ultimate long-term goal.  

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @cheebravo
• Facebook: facebook.com/cheebravo/
• Twitter: #cheebravo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cheebravo2661

Image Credits
Photo credit courtesy the artist