Meet a generation of inspired artistic minds expanding experiences of art and life and moving Miami's creative needle.
PHOTO BY LAUREN BOUZA/COURTESY OF KDR, MIAMI, FL AND THE ARTIST
ARTIST (@ALEJANDROPINEIROBELLO)
Fresh off a solo exhibition at KDR in Miami and PACE Gallery in London, Alejandro Piñeiro Bello is on a trajectory of epic mythic and history-telling proportions.
Which cultures inform your work?
We all live on the same planet, but I was born in the Caribbean, where I’ve been informed about the world and have learned to understand it. The Caribbean is special as almost all cultures are concentrated in a small space of sea and islands.
What central idea do your paintings convey?
Creative freedom and its connection to nature and the universe—of course, this freedom is influenced by one’s place of origin. Creativity is one of the last ‘free’ realms of our existence.
MARITZA LACAYO PHOTO BY LAZARO LLANES/COURTESY OF PÉREZ ART MUSEUM MIAMI
ASSOCIATE CURATOR, PÉREZ ART MUSEUM MIAMI (PAMM) @MARITZAMELANIA, @PAMM, @POURINGOVERPAGESPODCAST
Maritza Lacayo’s curatorial objective is to prioritize genuine human interaction through art, recently curating José Parlá: Homecoming, currently on view at PAMM.
What drew you to museum curating?
Art as a catalyst for connection and learning ultimately makes us more compassionate, open-minded and understanding. As a born-and-bred Miamian, I am proud to tell stories at an institution that has helped shape the cultural landscape of our Magic City.
Describe your dream exhibition to curate.
I have yet to work on a large-scale exhibition reflecting on the history of the United States, emphasizing the immigration experience.
MARK FLEURIDOR PHOTO BY MARCUS MADDOX
ARTIST (@MARKFLEURIDOR)
Recognized for his collaging and quilting, Mark Fleuridor’s multimedia humancentric practice focuses on storytelling, sharing moments and memories of family, friends, Miami and more.
What does heritage mean to you?
My heritage influences not only the way I move around the world but also my art practice. I am always looking to my familial roots and memories for inspiration.
How do you want your quilts and collages to be experienced?
I want my artwork to evoke a sense of emotion and care. I strive to create pieces that resonate with anyone and allow each person to feel something unique and meaningful.
PHOTOGRAPHER (@JDA.USA)
A true super-talent, Josh Aronson’s résumé already includes The New York Times, Dazed, Italian Vogue, Dior, Off-White c/o Virgil Abloh and more. His personal photography is equally fresh and he has a furniture collection.
What makes for a good photograph?
I always ask, ‘Does this make me feel?’ If a photo stirs something—an emotion, memory, curiosity—and lingers after I’ve stopped looking, that’s when I know it’s working.
How does Miami inspire your work?
I moved here from Toronto at age 3, so I see Miami both as home and through an outsider’s lens. This helps me spot the contrasts— the beauty, the mess, the machismo and the tenderness. That constant change shapes how I approach my work.
MARIANNA ANGEL PHOTO BY: BRIGETTE HOFFMAN
ARTIST, MUSICIAN AND WRITER @SOYWATER
A unique rising talent, Marianna Angel’s artistic breadth and unapologetic empowered approach to activating herself as both artist and subject alternating between voyeur and the consumed make her a must-follow.
What are the key themes in your practice?
My work deals with lost identity and identity changing as circumstances around us evolve. Performance has allowed me a passageway for ego death—separation from the ‘flesh prison’ as I explore the interconnectedness of the human experience told through the lens of one person.
Would you categorize your artistic medium?
Artistic expressions transcend the idea of mediums. While one may find a niche, art should not be a place where one feels confined. My practice is a revolving sphere where mediums interject in time and space.
LIONY GARCIA PHOTO BY: ZUI GOMEZ
DANCER AND CHOREOGRAPHER @LIONY_GARCIA
Often placing his body in conversation with the urban fabric, Liony Garcia’s boundary-pushing practice is overflowing with insight and grace.
How do you define dance?
Dance is nonverbal and sensory in nature, and it allows me to discover boundless expressive potential. Through movement, I connect with various facets of existence, finding liberation for my mind, body and imagination while sharing joyful space with others rooted in exploration and collective experience.
How has Miami influenced your practice?
The natural beauty and architectural landscape of Miami have been great inspirations, but Miami’s people inspire me most—particularly the Latin community, which has instilled in me a profound sense of identity and belonging.
Photography by: Photos Courtesy of Artists
