DVAA Member since 2021

Henry Morales

Website:

About:

Henry Morales was born in 1993 in Los Angeles, California and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2004. He received his Associates of Arts from the College of Southern Nevada in 2018 and his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting from The Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University in 2021. Currently he is the Post-Baccalaureate Fellow for the Hurford Center for the Arts and Humanities at Haverford College. His experience as a first-generation Guatemalan American informs much of his practice, which, in turn, allows him to explore themes of labor, immigration, identity, and place.

Artist Statement:

My experience as a first-generation Guatemalan American inspires me to explore themes of labor, immigration, identity, and place through works that mix non-traditional and familiar materials. I am driven to explore what it means to be first-generation, and to investigate the impact of migrating and assimilating to a new place while still holding ties to another land. Another mode in which I explore themes of my identity is through the examination of labor, specifically the labor of my family, and its relation to society’s perception of and interactions with them. Through my work, I strive to bring visibility to those who are often ignored by society, and who do not frequently get the opportunity to control their own narrative. My family and our history guide me to share our stories; growing up surrounded by a strong community of hardworking, persistent, caring people inspires me to celebrate and showcase their experiences. I delve deep into the significance of being a child of immigrants, and, through that investigation, aim to honor the lives of my family, culture, heritage, and the impact of these strong people on others. My art incorporates influences from the history of my culture in contrast with modern issues we face; through this, I intend to present the plight of marginalized people while honoring their narrative.