Ram Brisueño is a Baltimore- based, self-taught collagist with a degree in English from UMBC. His collage paintings use flowers blooming from, out of, and surrounding human figures to represents a halo like presence of our best selves. Enveloped by our dream selves, our divinity and connection with nature and our own humanity, we are reminded we are part of more than just ourselves. We can be beautiful, weird, different… its all a wonderful and joyous part of our journey. With the hard work and trust in our nature, the time we put into our lives, we can grow into what we dream.
The flower heads in their chaotic and natural environments bring us closer to the power of creation in all of us and we can see our shared beauty and humanity… where, for one moment, we allow ourselves to be anything and everything and our true selves are revealed in falling petals and undying gardens.
Using mixed media materials to create collages that combine nature, social issues, and the human figure with intuitive color, shape and form; choices that meet at points of transformation and myth making. His work has been exhibited in collections, galleries and museums.
I began my journey as a self taught artist. I have always pursued art as a way to communicate with and contribute my perspective to social and artistic conversations in the art community and beyond. As a mixed media artist, I use repurposed materials (magazines, papers, thread, xeroxs) and acrylics, to reveal unique and hidden narratives with an almost surreal perspective that question the art community’s openness and inclusivity of expression and voices.
I am a member of organizations and galleries in the DC area and have been able to show my art, communicate in art talks, and grow as an artist. Opportunities are important and established galleries, such as Zenith encourage and offer a way for artists to share space, ideas and communicate with other artists. Gallery spaces are one way to exhibit art. Opening up the dialogue of what, where and how can be shown, groups like The Black Arts Today expands beyond the white walls of the galleries to other spaces, such as their collaboration with Nieman Marcus, where several artists voices joined in a different venue that reached a wider audience of art enthusiasts.
The DC art community is opening to a wider range of voices. As a queer artist, my collages show an equality of image and gender, where individual parts create a larger meaning in their collective. I use my own experiences and backgrounds with a conscious intent to expand social dialogues. Inclusion in the Art Bank Collection would ensure all our voices are heard and we are seen through our art as essential to the story of who we are.
