Bio:

Josue Ledesma is an Ecuadorian-born visual artist, actor, and writer. Born in 1990, he studied creative writing at NYU and worked a traditional full-time job across several startups while painting and performing in various New York City theaters. Over the past several years Josue has collaborated with various artists, musicians, and other artists to illustrate album art, a children's book, and even produce a poetry chapbook to accompany an album release. Since 2020, Josue has shifted from digital art and works traditionally in acrylics, having been selected as an exhibition artist for Bronx Brewery and starting a new series of paintings tied to his experience as an immigrant.

Artist Statement:

My digital art took inspiration from the art I consumed around me. Editorial illustrations, video game art, album art. Imagery that could be argued isn't art. But it spoke to me and caught my eye. I found my voice by marrying the whimsy with the dark, finding ways to "paint" digitally and still evoke the same kind of emotion I felt growing up but in ways that were more traditionally accepted. I became a digital painter.

As a traditional painter I found myself becoming much more introspective. I used painting as a way to express my inner feelings and the inner thoughts around me. I painted often during the pandemic, and used it as a way to channel the uncertain feelings I, like everyone else, had during this time. My painting is in many ways, a snapshot of my darker emotional state — it's not always unique and I hope people can relate because of of that.

Most recently, I've embarked on a new series of representational paintings that aim to highlight the hidden struggles of being an immigrant in the US. How the series will evolve is yet to be seen but I'm excited to continue working on it.