Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mark Romero. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mark, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

My artwork focuses on the ancient civilizations and cultures of Mesoamerica. In 2022, I did an artist residency in Mexico City, MX with a local gallery, Casa Equis. While living in Mexico City, I was able to immerse myself in beautiful and rich Mesoamerican history and culture. For the residency, I was able to present artwork in the gallery space but wanted to make sure I could respectfully represent Indigenous cultures of Latin America. I created a series of drawings dedicated to the discovery of giant Olmec and Mayan sculptures. The concept was not only to display these timeless sculptures, but to focus on the locals and farmers who were responsible for the physical labor behind these excavations. The inspiration came from imagining a long, hard days work of excavating a buried stone sculpture, and someone takes a photo in that exact moment capturing a side of the local peoples that history often forgets. Although, the archaeologists may receive credit for these “findings,” however, in most cases, these sacred sites were usually known to the local people of the area who showed the way to these foreign archaeologists.

The series ended up being something that is very dear to me. I wanted to shine light on the side of anthropology that most do not consider or even think about. As a Nicaraguan-American, I wanted to show the connections that Mesoamerica has through Mexico and Central America.

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.

My name is Mark Romero. I am 1st generation Nicaraguan-American artist currently residing in Oakland, CA. I focus on artwork inspired by Mesoamerican culture. My artwork is mainly created using graphite pencils, acrylic paints, mixed media/collaging, and digital mediums. I strive to teach my viewers about the diverse history of Mesoamerica and how complex these ancient civilizations really were. I want others to learn about the indigenous communities and most importantly, the similarities between them. From Mexico, throughout Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica), to current day Panama.

I aim to revive ancient sculptures, ceramics, and even hieroglyphics, adding a modern twist to these historical artifacts. In doing so, I hope to inspire others to appreciate and learn more about anthropology and Latin America’s rich history. I also think it is important to represent my Nicaraguan roots, as I feel the the Nicaraguan art community is very small and under-appreciated in today’s modern art communities. I am also inspired to create drawings for others to feel proud and to be able to explore their roots.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Throughout my years of creating artwork, there has been many moments when I have felt very proud of the work I’ve put in. Still to this day, the most rewarding aspect for me is receiving messages from other fellow Nicaraguans thanking me for creating artworks that is representative of Nicaragua and to Central America. Growing up in Pennsylvania, I did not have a Central American, let alone Nicaraguan community. It was very hard to see my culture outside of my family’s home. I began to learn about Latin America’s history and wanted to give others a sense of pride when they view my art. When viewers/followers send messages, thanking me for representing Nicaragua as they may have not had the chance to see other artists give voice for the unheard. I feel inspired to keep creating as I spread awareness to other Latino cultures and communities.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building an audience through social media can be difficult and very time consuming. I think they key is being consistent and also true to yourself. Yes, it is important to pay attention to latest trends. However, I feel the creative, artist, content creator should post and create posts they feel comfortable doing and sharing with others. For example, I think a consistent schedule for posting contributes to reaching higher engagement with your audience. I also believe videos, such as reels, are a great way to have your page seen by more viewers, as there is a push for this medium over photos. Nevertheless, if you only feel comfortable sharing your process, speaking in videos, or even showing yourself on camera is something completely up to you and you only.     

Contact Info:

• Website: www.markromeroart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/el_chiquito__/