‘El Camino’

Studio Lenca

4th of October - 4th of November

In his vibrant, bold and exuberant paintings, Studio Lenca creates a space for belonging and flourishing. Studio Lenca’s paintings stem from a combination of biographical anecdotes, personal reflections and folkloric iconography. The artist’s confident approach to colour and his inventive use of unconventional materials act as a catalyst for the recalibration of his lived experience and the immigrant narrative.

El Camino translates as ‘the way’ or ‘the path’, but also alludes to El Camino Real, a route through California, where the artist grew up following his illegal passage to the USA. This exhibition at Soho Revue follows a period of research into the displaced experience which has taken the artist to Mexico, El Salvador and the US border. It is an exploration of undocumented routes and rootedness.

‘When people ask me where I’m from, I never know how to answer. I was born in El Salvador, grew up illegally in California and then spent my adult life in the UK. What does that question mean and why do people ask it?’

The layered materiality of Studio Lenca’s work and his characteristic depiction of regal figures seeks to decentralise the collective idea of Latinx identity. Mixed media works combine cardboard fruit boxes, lace, packaging and plastic combs to address movement, place making and a sense of becoming. These materials are sourced from London markets, a key site of inspiration for the artist.