Nicolas Ramirez Cruz

Nicolas Ramirez Cruz is an artist and educator who works and lives in Los Angeles. He received a Master of Fine Arts from California State University, Long Beach, and works as an adjunct professor at Ventura Community College District.

His work explores various issues related to labor, immigration, identity, and my position within both the USA and Mexico. As a Mexican immigrant to the country, His relationship with the social and political issues that affect him and the entire immigrant community, especially the ones under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), is essential for his practice. These issues include the lack of legal protection for undocumented workers, the exploitation of immigrant labor, and the challenges of assimilation and cultural identity.

His work serves as a transformative platform, sparking conversations and raising awareness about the issues that shape my life as an artist and a community member. It critically examines policies and the often unacknowledged and underpaid labor of immigrants. To explore these issues, He uses photographs, sculptures, and installations. He constructs installations and sculptures using materials sourced from restaurants and warehouses, creating a tangible connection to the labor and immigration issues He addresses. His photography captures the essence of these spaces and people, creating powerful portraits that resonate with his message.

Furthermore, his identity and sense of belonging are also crucial to his practice. Therefore, he has navigated his entire life, confronting, and questioning his sense of belonging. As a result, his work and practice reflect his personal experiences of the alienating effects of a country that sometimes does not feel entirely like home.