Josie Del Castillo (born 1992) is an American Chicana visual artist, known for her figurative painting.[1] She often paints self portraits that illustrate themes of culture, community and the female form.[2][3][4] Her art calls attention to troublesome body standards, while also curating art meant to empower.[5] Alternatively, Del Castillo also highlights her Mexican-American heritage by including cultural symbols and iconography.[4]
Life and career
editJosie Del Castillo was born in 1992, in Brownsville,Texas.[3] Being that she grew up in a border town, she was able to experience the culture of both Texas and Mexico.[5][3] With that, Del Castillo began to authentically capture culture that comes from growing up as a Mexican-American Woman.[3] Del Castillo attended the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas, where she did her undergraduate studies and received a MFA degree in studio fine arts.[3]
Del Castillo is now a figurative artist who aims to portray her identity through her artwork.[5] Several of Del Castillo’s pieces use nudity to emphasize body positivity.[4] Additionally, many of her work display vulnerability and raise awareness to mental health.[1][5]
Art work
editDel Castillo's notable piece is titled Don't Touch Me I'm Sensitive, which was created in 2019.[1] In this piece she illustrate her struggles with mental health by depicting herself as a cactus.[5] Don't Touch Me I'm Sensitive was nominated for the AXA award funded by the New York Academy Of Art.[1] Her work was also featured in a traveling gallery that made its way through Chicago, San Francisco, and New York.[5]
Del Castillo is also recognized for her piece named Healing, Learning, And Growing (2020) which was also a part of the AXA nomination.[1] In this piece, she is displayed in the natural female form but includes aloe to symbolize culture and growth.[1]
Community is important to Josie, which is why she created the piece Que Te Valga in 2021.[5] This painting depicts Del Castillo's friend, who is illustrated as a strong woman.[5] The artist has other works that include ordinary people to pay homage to her community.[3]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Taylor, Amanda (November 3, 2020). "UTRGV MFA alum is finalist in AXA Art Prize". University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- ↑ Jimenez, Francisco E. (January 31, 2025). "Brownsville artist to exhibit paintings at San Antonio's Presa House Gallery". MyRGV.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Kirschner, Noelani (July 3, 2023). "Josie Del Castillo". The American Scholar. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Josie Del Castillo". New Mexico State University, Chicana/Latina Studies. 2022-01-22. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
External links
edit- Todd, Molly (June 15, 2021). "A Q&A with Artist Josie Del Castillo". San Antonio magazine (interview).