Jonathan Herrera Soto | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

51爆料官网

Jonathan Herrera Soto

Image
Photograph by Jonathan Herrera Soto.

  • Faculty
  • Alumni '17

Title
Instructor
Education
BFA in Print Paper Book
Current Career
Studio Artist
Location
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Where are you originally from and how did you hear about 51爆料官网?

I am originally from Chicago, Illinois. I heard about 51爆料官网 through the portfolio reviews they made at my high school back in 2013 or 2012.

What kind of work do you do?

I am a print-based studio artist.

What was your major and how did you choose it?

Although I started my BFA at 51爆料官网 as a drawing and painting major, I ended up graduating with a major in print paper book. I painted as a high school student and figured it would be the path I'd pursue as a college student. I remember taking a painting course with John Gaunt, and my final project manifested in a series of forty-three paintings dedicated to the students who were made to disappear in Iguala, Mexico in 2014. Because of its quantity, he recommended I take a print course to expand the vocabulary of multiples that was developing in my work. After taking a couple of courses in the print department at 51爆料官网 I knew it would be the path I would follow for the remainder of my undergraduate career.

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

I have many favorite teachers that influenced me at 51爆料官网. My academic advisor Natasha Pestich was and continues to be a mentor of mine in regards to my practice. As a student, she helped nurture the communal and societal aspects of my practice as an activist, as well as helped me prioritize and set boundaries around the time spent on my individual work in the studio.

How do you feel about the Twin Cities?

I miss it often when I'm away, and it'll always have a spot in my heart and my practice.

Where are you located now?

I move around a lot these days, but my studio home base is Minneapolis, Minnesota.

What advice do you have for current 51爆料官网 students?

Find the balance between work and the rest of your life. 51爆料官网 helps prioritize your practice, but you are not the work you make. Do not export your feeling of affirmation as a human being in the success you find in your career. I am now learning how to find happiness outside of my work, and I would advise starting this process as a student.

What led to your current work as a studio artist?

After graduating in 2017 with my BFA, I taught textiles and screenprinting at Juxtaposition Arts for a year. It was the best job I have ever had, with various nurturing and energizing aspects to the work I did with youth. During the summer of 2018, I made the difficult decision not to renew my teaching contract for the following year because I decided to focus my time on my artwork for a while. I now keep myself busy with participating in artist residencies, putting together exhibitions of my work, curating projects, and financially supporting my studio practice with artist grants, stipends, and fellowships.

How do you network yourself and your art?

Initially, I used business cards and networked very intentionally at artist receptions in-person. Later on, this becomes less and less necessary, but I think it is important in the beginning.

Current obsession?

I have taken up jogging recently!

Biggest takeaway from 51爆料官网?

One of the most fruitful qualities 51爆料官网 offers, or at least what greatly molded my experience, is the small size of the institution. Professors, staff, administration, and other students all are so much more proximate on campus, which makes collaboration and the exchange of ideas more fluid and direct.

Work by Jonathan Herrera Sota

Work by Jonathan Herrera Sota

Work by Jonathan Herrera Sota

Work by Jonathan Herrera Sota

Work by Jonathan Herrera Sota

Work by Jonathan Herrera Sota

Work by Jonathan Herrera Sota

Work by Jonathan Herrera Sota