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

Edú, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

Sometimes, the people who misunderstand me the most are the ones who love me the most. I don’t waste my time trying to explain myself to people who don’t want to understand. Being misunderstood is an opportunity to educate others and broaden their perspective. Taking them into your world, curated by your soul.

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 am Edú an American visual artist, writer, poet, educator, and arts organizer. Using endless mediums to create an atmospheric source of fascination for his viewers, students, and collectors. In turn, defining what space and time means and represents in my life. As well as sharpening a style of art that is culturally linked to my heritage. A style of art that Americans tend to verbally devalue or for their benefit attach an unrealistic value to for capitalistic gain. And to be honest these practices have been used against us throughout history.

This style is a mixture of neo-surrealism, expressionism, and pop art or as some like to call it “Street Art”. A process of organized spontaneity and enlightenment. For me this is humbling solely due to its stressful cultivation period where self-reflection, mindfulness, vulnerability, and fearlessness fuel the hunger to create.

I am extremely proud to have been in a position to publish books, curate shows, and work with many galleries in multiple parts of the world. I use these opportunities to educate people on the importance of self growth through meditation, personal study program, and creative disciplines.

I think back to history and consider how many early world rulers were warriors, poets, architechs, artist, musicians, and much more. These are all practices that man has made to be less than important. When in actuality these are the very practices that sharpen men to be the best versions of themselves be it for themselves and or others.

As an Artist and teacher my goal is to keep, make, and transform meaning. As an artist my relationship to place, in addition to inhabiting it, is to see it and listen to it. Whether intentionally or not, every creative act, every moment of imagination and expression in a place, contributes to that place’s shape. Ambitious artists seek to better themselves well before they can better assist others.

Art gives us meaning and helps us understand our world. It does not take a scientific study to prove that art appreciation improves our quality of life and makes us feel good. When we create art, we elevate our mood, we improve our ability to problem solve, and open our minds to new ideas.

My name is Edú and by way of art I’m here to serve the people.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

Whereas I see the beneficial use as well as the space and time they positively effect, its hard not to see the capitalistic use behind it. My introduction to it was a hasty man quick to shake my hand and ask would i like for him to turn my work into NFT’s. I hesitated and he then said: There is a lot of money to be had. All with a large grin as he tried to sell me the idea.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

It’s the only place i can truly be me unapologetically. By this I mean I can do what feels right, what accepts my energy, and reurns that energy in a different way. And this just become a rinse and repeat. I’ve been able to instill the positive ideaologies of the arts to my students, those in the community, and my collectors. By way of creating I’ve learned new ways to communicate as if using new languages. And it bestows the responsibility to inspire people, give them hope and touch their soul in a way that words cannot. And this is what brings me joy in such a depressing world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://loca.art/products/sueno-lucido
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edu.soyyo/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edu-newbon-4a60981bb/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXPl6jScJ_zNwT5hQpYLLg
• Other: https://fultonstreetcollective.com/membership-account/directory/

Image Credits
Matt Wenc