My name is Angel N. Perez-Martinez, but I prefer to go by NEHESPADAMUS. I was born on April 14, 1995, in Portland, OR. Growing up, I moved constantly, making it difficult to form lasting friendships until high school. It was during this time that my passion for the arts emerged, and I began expressing myself through drawing in high school art classes. At that point, I considered several career paths, including Interior Design, Architecture, and Game Design.

However, it wasn’t until I attended Riverside City College that my passion for the arts intensified, particularly in the realm of fine arts. There, I refined my traditional art skills by studying the Renaissance Italian academic method, which focused on observational and life-based assignments. The mediums I worked with included graphite, charcoal, pastels, india ink, acrylics, oils, and watercolors. This experience solidified my decision to pursue a career in fine art, and I expanded my artistic practice as a multidisciplinary artist at California State University, San Bernardino. At CSUSB, I focused heavily on printmaking while also exploring glass, wood, and ceramics. I recently completed my BFA in Studio Arts and am now looking to apply for exhibitions and pursue my MFA to move beyond the academic phase of my career.

During this time, I also grappled with my sexuality and the racism I faced as a Honduran-American. My parents are undocumented immigrants from Honduras, and when people discover my background, they often react with fear or hostility. My struggles with my sexuality began in my youth; I suppressed it and felt ashamed because society told me it was wrong and that I would go to hell. These internal battles, coupled with the discrimination I faced, led to severe depression, and I was eventually diagnosed as bipolar at a young age.

Through these challenges, I discovered that I am drawn to realism in my work, but I also enjoy infusing it with elements of fantasy—whether a dream or a nightmare. It was through this exploration that I found Magic Realism, a genre that deeply resonates with me. The way Magic Realism blends the real with the fantastical aligns with how I approach my own art, as both reflect the internal and external struggles I’ve faced.

My work is a critique of how society treats marginalized people, particularly Latinx LGBTQ individuals. As a Gay Latinx person, my art reflects the unique struggles we face in modern America. I seek to bring visibility to these experiences, offering both a personal and societal perspective on the challenges of being part of this community.

A multidisciplinary artist is someone who works across multiple mediums, refusing to be limited to one form of artistic expression. These artists blend different techniques—such as painting, sculpture, photography, performance, and digital media—creating works that challenge traditional boundaries. They are not simply painters or sculptors; they are innovators who combine various tools to communicate ideas in fresh, dynamic ways.

Rather than sticking to one discipline, these artists use their flexibility to explore new creative possibilities. They often start with traditional practices but expand into other areas, creating art that is immersive and multi-dimensional. This approach allows them to express complex ideas and emotions in ways that single-medium works cannot.

Multidisciplinary art encourages experimentation and originality, offering a platform for artists to explore new territories and address contemporary issues. By breaking away from conventions, these artists carve their own path, creating work that is both relevant and thought-provoking.

Magic Realism is an artistic movement that seeks to reveal the mysterious and uncanny elements of everyday life. By blending the ordinary with the extraordinary, Magic Realist painters create works that evoke a sense of wonder and strangeness in the familiar. This merging of the present with the past, the invention of unusual objects, and the juxtaposition of disparate elements all serve to challenge our perception of reality. The movement often explores themes of alienation, capturing moments where the mundane appears unfamiliar or surreal.

What sets Magic Realism apart is its emphasis on fine detail and often surprising perspectives. These works do not distort reality outright, but rather enhance it, offering new ways of seeing the world. In doing so, Magic Realism invites viewers to reflect on the wonders and mysteries that exist within our everyday experiences.