Studio Lenca Explained

Studio Lenca is a UK based contemporary artist from El Salvador.[1] The artist explores themes of identity, belonging and migration.[2] Born in La Paz, El Salvador[3] Studio Lenca now lives and works in Margate, UK[4]

Early life and education

Studio Lenca, also known as Jose Campos, was born in La Paz El Salvador in 1986. After travelling illegally to the USA he grew up in San Francisco, California. Studio Lenca attended San Francisco School of the Arts, now known as The Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts. In 2013, Studio Lenca attended The London Contemporary Dance School, he was the first person in his immediate family to attend university.[5] In 2019, Studio Lenca graduated from the MA in Arts and Learning at Goldsmiths University of London.[6]

Career

Studio Lenca's work has been acquired by several museums and institutions including the Pérez Art Museum in Miami[7] and The Parrish Art Museum, New York[8] His work explores the displaced narrative[9] drawing on his own experience of leaving El Salvador during the country's civil war.

In 2020 Studio Lenca was the winner of the Photo Fringe OPEN20 SOLO with his photography work exploring Historiantes, folkloric dancers from El Salvador.[10] This body of work was also shown at Sierra Metro Gallery in Edinburgh[11]

In 2022 Studio Lenca held a solo exhibition at Foundry Dubai,[12] entitled Dreamers- which included paintings and photography.[13] Later that year the artist held a solo exhibition at Soho Revue Gallery, A Losing Game.[14]

In the artist's installation 'Chisme' the artist created wooden cut-out figures made in collaboration with immigrant workers and was the subject of an exhibition at the gallery in 2023.[15] which was acquired by The Parrish Art Museum.[16]

Studio Lenca was interviewed by Russel Tovey and Robert Diament on the TalkArt Podcast[17]

In 2023, Studio Lenca was featured in the Evening Standard on the New Art Power List for 2023,[18] other artists featured included Heather Agyepong and Katy Hessel.

The Latin American Fashion Awards commissioned Studio Lenca[19] to create the official trophy for the event in 2023.[20] In the inaugural year the trophy was awarded to J Balvin (who was awarded the Latin Fashion Icon of the Year),[21] other winners included Willy Chavarría, Karoline Vitto and Luar's Raúl López[22]

The artist's show 'Leave to Remain' at Carl Freedman Gallery included an installation of sculptures made in collaboration with Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN).[23] Entitled 'Dreamland' the work consisted of 3 large colourful volcano-like sculptures made with young refugees and asylum seekers living in Kent, UK.[24] The title of the show 'Leave to Remain' comes from the term used by the UK Home Office for the immigration status which grants permission to stay in the UK.[25]

In 2024, it was announced that Studio Lenca had been selected for El Museo del Barrio's Triennial. The museum show is curated by El Museo's chief curator Rodrigo Moura and curator Susanna V. Temkin, and guest curator María Elena Ortiz.[26] Studio Lenca's work will be exhibited alongside Karyn Olivier, Norberto Roldan, Carmen Argote and Liz Cohen.

Individual exhibitions

A selection of Studio Lenca's solo exhibitions

Notes and References

  1. News: Artist explores identity through paintings . en . Bangkok Post . 5 December 2023.
  2. Web site: Studio Lenca English . 11 June 2024 . Metal Magazine . es.
  3. Web site: Studio Lenca . 5 December 2023 . Soho Revue . en-GB.
  4. Web site: Emily Steer . 1 May 2024 . Studio Lenca nods to Salvadorian heritage with riot of colour in Margate . 11 June 2024 . wallpaper.com . en.
  5. Web site: Where dance meets visual art: Interview with Studio Lenca . 14 December 2023 . The Place . en.
  6. Web site: STUDIO LENCA . 14 December 2023 . La Pera Projects . en.
  7. Web site: Pérez Art Museum Miami Announces Miami Art Week 2023 Schedule • Pérez Art Museum Miami . 5 December 2023 . Pérez Art Museum Miami . en-US.
  8. Web site: Studio Lenca: Chisme . 5 December 2023 . Parrish Art Museum . en-US.
  9. Web site: Artist Studio Lenca taps into Dubai's soul .
  10. Web site: Photo Fringe OPEN20 SOLO winner selected: Studio Lenca . 7 December 2023 . Brighton Photo Fringe . en.
  11. Web site: Studio Lenca – The Invisibles @ Sierra Metro – The Skinny . 7 December 2023 . theskinny.co.uk . en.
  12. Web site: Jalal . Maan . 21 August 2022 . Four new exhibitions to see at Foundry in Dubai . 14 December 2023 . The National . en.
  13. Web site: Robinson . Dan . 5 September 2022 . An interview with Studio Lenca . 14 December 2023 . Emirates Woman . en.
  14. Web site: A Losing Game – Studio Lenca – November 2023 . 14 December 2023 . Soho Revue . en-GB.
  15. Web site: 20 February 2023 . Parrish Art Museum gifted life-size wooden figures representing Latino immigrant workers . 7 December 2023 . WSHU . en.
  16. Web site: 24 February 2023 . The Parrish Acquires Work by Salvadoran Artist Jose Campos . 7 December 2023 . 27 East . en-US.
  17. Web site: Talk Art: Studio Lenca on Apple Podcasts . 7 December 2023 . Apple Podcasts . en-GB.
  18. Web site: Taylor . Joanna . 18 October 2023 . London's new art power list . 14 December 2023 . Evening Standard . en.
  19. Web site: Daffner . Drew . 3 November 2023 . Latin American Fashion Awards Host First-Ever Celebration . 15 December 2023 . The Impression . en-US.
  20. Web site: Campuzano . Luis . 7 November 2023 . Latin American Fashion Awards Host Inaugural Celebration in the Dominican Republic . 15 December 2023 . Women's Wear Daily . en-US.
  21. Web site: 15 November 2023 . The First Latin American Fashion Awards Ceremony Was a Night to Remember . 15 December 2023 . V Magazine . en-US.
  22. Web site: 6 November 2023 . Willy Chavarría, Karoline Vitto, and Luar's Raúl López Take Home Top Honors at the Latin American Fashion Awards . 15 December 2023 . Vogue . en-US.
  23. Web site: 8 April 2024 . Margate: Art by asylum-seeking children to go on show . 11 April 2024 . BBC News . en-GB.
  24. Web site: Bailes . Kathy . 10 April 2024 . Exhibition by Studio Lenca and young people supported by Kent Refugee Action Network to open in Margate . 11 April 2024 . The Isle Of Thanet News . en-GB.
  25. Web site: 8 April 2024 . Margate: Art by asylum-seeking children to go on show . 11 April 2024 . BBC News . en-GB.
  26. Web site: Durón . Maximilíano . 4 June 2024 . El Museo del Barrio Names Artist List for Its 2024 Triennial, with an Expanded, Global Focus . 11 June 2024 . ARTnews . en-US.
  27. Web site: 8 April 2024 . Margate: Art by asylum-seeking children to go on show . 11 April 2024 . BBC News . en-GB.
  28. Web site: 24 November 2022 . CentAm artist joins with immigrants in Miami wooden figure project . 14 December 2023 . La Prensa Latina Media . en-US.
  29. Web site: 26 June 2023 . How To Turn Your Biggest Challenges into Your Superpower . 14 December 2023 . Maria Brito . en-US.
  30. Web site: 'El Jardín (The Garden) ' by Studio Lenca – Tang Contemporary Art Bangkok . 14 December 2023 . Aura Asia Contemporary Art Project . ja.
  31. Web site: Studio LENCA – Cutting Through – Brussels Gallery Weekend . 14 December 2023 . BGW . en-US.
  32. Web site: Studio Lenca: Listo at Halsey McKay Gallery . 14 December 2023 . en-US.
  33. Web site: 24 November 2022 . CentAm artist joins with immigrants in Miami wooden figure project . 14 December 2023 . La Prensa Latina Media . en-US.
  34. Web site: Exhibitions . 14 December 2023 . Soho Revue . en-GB.
  35. Web site: Tang Contemporary Art Seoul – DayTrip . 14 December 2023 . app.daytrip.io . en.
  36. Web site: Kohinoor Sahota-Deputy . 19 August 2022 . Photography to paintings: Foundry in Dubai announces its new season . 14 December 2023 . Fact Magazine . en-US.

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