THE ARTIST
Daniel Ramirez-Lamos a.k.a - QtPi
I am a mixed-media artist based in the South. I earned my Bachelors at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in Studio Art: Focus in Ceramics with a Secondary in Painting. I graduated from the program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. And I am currently embarking on my teaching journey in higher education.
I was brought up in a Latine household to first generation Americans; A Mexican Father and a Colombian Mother with four other siblings (I am the only artist among my siblings).
ARTIST STATEMENT
I am representing aspects and characteristics of myself through the portraits I create as authentically and intimately as I can. Through my process I am uncovering emotions as well as reclaiming my identities. As a child of immigrant parents I find pride in my roots. Because of my pride I like to illustrate motifs and themes borrowed from my family's culture and diaspora. Some of the motifs I use are imagery of repetition, vibrant colors, aspects of craft as well as artisan works.
My culture's traditional attire, textiles, and practices especially pertaining to Indigenous & African cultures really inspire and inform me. In creating work that resembles my Colombian and Mexican heritage, I am both honoring and reclaiming my roots.
Through my practice I want to portray scenes of intimacy like queer love as well as vulnerabilities and insecurities including scenes of strength through these adversaries when I present my portraits. Through these creations, I want to tell stories of my experiences that others may identify with. My works are extensions of myself and my culture, they are the thoughts I find difficult to navigate solely through my own words. Told through acrylic paint, found objects, fabric, and clay I reconnect to the people of my culture and heritage.