Interview
Joseph George Vigil Jr.
Born and raised in the heart of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Joseph George Vigil Jr. is a visionary artist, community leader, and cultural activist whose work celebrates the soul of his homeland. As the founder and creator of Vigil’s New Mexico Traditional and Contemporary Cardboard Art, he has transformed the humble medium of recycled cardboard into a vibrant symbol of creativity, heritage, and resilience. Through his innovative use of this sustainable material, Vigil gives new life to iconic landmarks such as the St. Francis Cathedral, the Guadalupe Church, the Cristo Rey Church, the large marionette named Zozobra, and other beloved symbols of Santa Fe, while also honoring sacred traditions through his powerful depictions of the Corazón.
A proud tenth-generation Hispano Nuevo Mexicano, Vigil’s art serves as both a personal expression and a cultural preservation. He stands as a mentor, youth activist, and voice for his community, using his platform to inspire pride, authenticity, and leadership among the next generation. His artistic journey began early, earning his first art award at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in 2005, and his dedication to both art and community was later recognized when he was honored as one of the Top 40 Under Forty Business Leaders by the Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2025. Vigil’s message is clear and enduring: to remind youth and adults alike never to forget where they come from, to stay rooted in culture and integrity, and to see beauty and possibility in the overlooked. Through his art, he hopes to leave a lasting legacy that not only uplifts his community but also keeps the traditions and spirit of Santa Fe alive for generations to come.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am a 10th generation Hispanic Nuevo Mexicano that comes from a long line of artists and craftsmen such as my mother and my father. Art has always been apart of my life since I was a young boy, walking to catechism from the boys club to the Guadalupe church located on Alto St. in Santa Fe New Mexico. As I would make my way to the church, I would see all the beautiful murals painted on the walls and stare at them in awe not knowing that one day those same murals and stories told in paint would be my motivation to produce and teach art, a type of art that I created and invented. It was at the club that I found my love and passion for art. My art teacher would have white pieces of paper with outlined horses on them and we would be able to color and create those horses however we wanted - there is where it all started.”
What inspires you?
“The youth! My Family! Other Artists! My heritage! The culture here in Santa Fe inspires me. Here in New Mexico as New Mexicans we make something out of nothing and being able to teach and create and show others my love and passion for my craft inspires me, it inspires me to be a leader, a mentor, a visionary and most of all it inspires me to be myself so I can express myself through my art.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I pursue themes such as cultural heritage and identity as well as tradition, all through recycled cardboard. Through my work, I honor where I come from while reimagining what it means to be a Contemporary Nuevo Mexicano artist today.”
How would you describe your work?
“My artwork is a modern expression of deep ancestral roots, blending Hispanic, Indigenous and Southwestern influences into a style that is both timeless and boldly contemporary. Each piece feels like a dialogue between past and present - sacred tradition meeting modern innovation. My work is primarily with recycled cardboard, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary. This choice of medium adds layers of meaning; it speaks to resilience, resourcefulness and rebirth; echoing the spirit of New Mexico itself. Through texture, color and form I give new life to materials that others throw in the dumpster, turning them into powerful cultural statements. Visually, my pieces often feature clean, deliberate lines, vibrant turquoise and gold tones, and symbolic imagery such as the Zia sun symbol, Zozobra and the St Francis Cathedral. These elements connect my work to both spiritual devotion and regional identity, grounding my art in a strong sense of place. Emotionally, my work carries a sense of pride, reverence and continuity. It tells the story of a 10th generation Nuevo Mexicano artist honoring generations of familia artistry while asserting a fresh, contemporary vision that i created. There's a sense of sacred modernity - where history isn't just remembered but reimagined through my hands.”
Which artists influence you most?
“My mother and my father George and Cindy Vigil, my Primo Eligio Vigil who painted along side Tommy Macaione whose favorite depiction to paint was La Conquistadora and the Cristo Rey Church. Will Shuster, Luigi Kasimir, all the artists who came before me influence me to be unique, artists who have made a mark on not only the art world but the town I call home.”
“My work is primarily with recycled cardboard, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process is deeply intuitive, rooted in heritage, emotion, and storytelling. I like to let the cardboard guide me, each piece unfolds organically; I do not rush it. I picture certain images in my head but the real transformation happens in my hands, when I start layering and carving emotion into the cardboard. My process is both reflective and experimental: Reflective, because it draws on my ancestry, personal history, and the land of New Mexico the state my Great Grandfather Donaciano Vigil was once the inaugural Spanish Governor of in the year 1847. Experimental, because I push humble material like cardboard into unexpected forms- honoring tradition while reimagining it through a modern lens. In the end, my process is about transformation - of cardboard, memory, and meaning- turning everyday material that you break down and toss in a dumpster into beautiful one of a kind vessels of cultural pride and human connection.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist’s role in society is to see the world through our own lens of truth, memory, and imagination- and to share our vision with others. Through our work, we honor our ancestors, tell our stories, and remind others where we come from. As the world continues to evolve, so will my art. I want to keep teaching and leading by example and I hope that my work sparks conversation and connection, reminding others of the power of culture, creativity, and cardboard.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“In 2005, I won my first Art Award at the Georgia O'Keefe museum at the age of 11. In 2025, I was an honoree of the 40 under Forty Award presented by the Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.”
Instagram: @vigilsnewmexicoart
