Interview
Frank Gutierrez
Frank is an artist and photographer. When Frank Gutierrez first set foot on the island of Manhattan in 2013, he knew that it wouldn’t be his last. Globe-trotting from the sunny coast of Southern California to the concrete jungle of NYC, he’s figured out the best way to bring his own style and flair to the forefront. Though native Californians may be known for their laid-back demeanor, Frank prides himself on his focus and determination as he works to go the extra mile at every turn. Frank comes from a lineage of fine art. His father was a well known Chicano artist in Los Angeles who challenged the stereotype of the immigrant lens. Frank grew up experiencing the highest caliber of art, the freest expression of the soul, and the limitless opportunity of what the eye can see. He uses this foundation to reflect the purity of the vision he is capturing.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I consider myself an artist first, photographer second. Originally from Los Angeles, I’ve called Brooklyn home for the last six years. As the son of a renowned Chicano artist, of the same name, I grew up surrounded by almost every art medium imaginable, with film photography being my favorite. To this day, I remember the smell of a fresh roll of film being fed into my father’s Olympus, finding excitement in the sounds the shutter made as he’d advance the film with each press of the button! It was from this childhood experience that professional photography was the most sensible artistic career path for me to follow.”
What inspires you?
“It may sound contrived, but truly, it’s what occurs in my everyday life that inspires my work. For example, I may be enjoying a cup of coffee at a local cafe, flipping through a magazine and suddenly come across a story that inspires my next project. Even something as simple as walking along the streets of Manhattan has produced many an idea for me to reproduce in my studio. I will say that as of late, I’ve found myself drawn to visiting MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) regularly for inspiration amongst some of the greats: Picasso, Kahlo, Matisse, and Van Gogh to name a few. I would love to do a series recreating some of their masterpieces through my lens.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“The themes I create through my lens vary. I guess it’s fair to say that because of this, my art is very eclectic; there’s no single underlying message in my work. Though I will say that with today’s volatile climate, I’m motivated to create visual art that addresses the societal pressures this volatility is putting on us as a whole.”
“I’m motivated to create visual art that addresses the societal pressures this volatility is putting on us as a whole.”
How would you describe your work?
“I remember one afternoon, years and years ago, sitting with my father in his studio discussing a painting sitting on his easel, and midway through the conversation he stopped and said, “If anyone ever asks what’s the meaning behind any of my work, let them know that it’s what they take from it, that brings it its meaning.” And it’s from that very statement, I find that that’s how I approach my work. Whether it’s a fine art portrait, or an artsy fashion editorial, I want to create a narrative that draws my audience in, and within their captivity, have their innermost thoughts on my work be the very meaning of what they see.”
Which artists influence you most?
“When it comes to artists that influence me the most, it's wide ranging to say the least! From a fine art perspective, the likes of Pablo Picasso and Van Gogh, to contemporaries like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Banksy come to mind. As for photography influencers: Irving Penn, Richard Avedon, Annie Leibovitz and Joel Grimes are at the top of my list.”
What is your creative process like?
“Erratic at first! I can be all over the place one moment and in the next, I’m the most organized, borderline OCD-like artist ever. When inspired to create something specific, I will first do a lot of research via books and magazines (something I picked up from my father), trips to local art museums, and keyword searches on Pinterest. I absolutely adore Pinterest, and with it, I create inspiration boards that are shared with select small teams I put together. These boards generally consist of three elements: overall aesthetic, positioning/posturing for the subject matter, and most importantly, what lighting techniques are to be used. Lastly, solid post-production work becomes key to ensure the original vision comes to life. It is here where I’m playing around with a variety of filters, overlays and compositing; tweaking and adjusting until I am content!”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“As previously mentioned, addressing the societal pressures we face today is very important. Yes, there has always been some form of societal pressure in previous generations, but to me with the volatility almost bubbling over into chaos today, I feel it’s even more important for us as artists to take a stand, and produce art that will elicit a solution, spark a conversation, or at the very least bring about some form of awareness and calls-to-action! I once read that eras are created, defined and remembered by the art created. I’d like to know that somehow my art made a difference in the lives of my audience.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Yes! My very first art exhibit, The Love of Art, curated by Guerilla Art Shows back in September 2021 will always be the most noteworthy to me. At the time, I had just started experimenting with fine art photography, but didn’t really see it as an art medium, per se. Though my father involved himself with film photography, it was a very small part of his illustrious fine art career. His focus was predominately on oils, charcoal, acrylics, sculptures; you know, “real art.” Taking a chance, I submitted my fine art photography series, Eve at a Crossroad, for consideration. It was well received and accepted into the art show! Needless to say, I was ecstatic, and humbled, as I had stepped into the upper echelons, following in the footsteps of my father! A very proud moment to be sure, and validation that fine art photography IS a true art form!”
Website: www.frankgutierrez.nyc
Instagram: @visualartistrynyc
