Edgar Cruz
About Edgar
Edgar Cruz (b. 1998, lives and works in Los Angeles) is a Oaxacan botanist, ecologist, and photo-based artist from South Central Los Angeles. Through using a multitude of photographic and printing processes, Edgar examines his relationship to land, space, and environment. Often utilizing organic materials such as light and water at its bare essence, his monochromatic light and shadows create narratives of intimacy and connection. He has participated in group exhibitions at Various Small Fires, Los Angeles; 515, Bendix Building, Los Angeles; and Mary Porter Session Gallery, Santa Cruz. He has a B.A. in Art and B.A. in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz.
Artist Statement (from Shadow Dance series)
This series of cyanotype photograms began as a result of the early stages of the pandemic shutdown in 2020. Shadow Dance, 2020 was made when everything outside my home was deemed inaccessible, forcing me to capture light at its bare essence. Reflecting on my experiences of physicality, human intimacy, and connection, I began to print myself onto the paper. Utilizing human and plant bodies, I began to investigate the threads of connection we have between ourselves and our surroundings, both natural and man-made.
Shadow Dance, 2020 illuminates the interconnection between human and plant bodies, often entangled within one another. I utilize organic plant material that I salvage from waste, repurposing organisms that are no longer deemed useful for their original intention. This process has allowed me to incorporate my interests and studies in ethnobotany and agroecology, further examining my relationship with plants and the natural world.
Since beginning this body of work, I aim to incorporate materials and resources that are not only more accessible, but more connected to the natural processes of this world. In the newer 11 x 10 in. prints, you can see light-sensitive impressions made by water and plant materials from my yard. These intimate “handprints”and “footprints” capture the interactions I create between myself and these natural elements. Using the sun at its brightest and strongest, I lay on the UV-sensitive paper and burn myself onto this cameraless image. As I lay over the paper, I give myself up to the sun, connecting with its radiant energy in an unspoken way.
CV
Education
2020 - University of California, Santa Cruz, BA, Art and BA, Environmental Studies.
Solo Exhibitions
2019 - South Central Love, Eduardo Carrillo Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA.
Group Exhibitions
2024 Of Love and Revelation: Learning Photography from the Land, Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, Santa Cruz, CA
2023 Blue, 515 Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2022 Eco-Art Work: 11 Artists from 8 Countries, Various Small Fires, Los Angeles, CA
2020 Irwin 2020: Collective Solitude, Mary Porter Sesnon Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA.
Shadow Dance, John Dizikes Art Cases, Santa Cruz, CA
Open Studios, Elena Baskin Visual Arts Center, Santa Cruz, CA.
2019 Head Space: A POC Universe, Sesnon Underground Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA
2018 Reading Room: After Archives, Sesnon Underground Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA
Taking Up Space, Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz, CA
Public Performances
2022 Anthotype I (Beet), Various Small Fires, Los Angeles, CA, June 25, 2022.
Work Experience
2023 - Present - California Conservation Corps' Watershed Stewards Program, in partnership with Americorps; serving with California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Big Sur
2021-2023 - Archivist, Various Small Fires, Los Angeles, CA
2021 - Field Researcher in Fire Ecology, University of California Natural Reserve System, San Francisco Bay Area, CA
2018-2020 - Greenhouse Assistant, UC Santa Cruz Greenhouses, Santa Cruz, CA
2019-2020 - Studio Monitor, UCSC The Cellar: Digital Photo Lab, Santa Cruz, CA
2019-2020 - Studio Monitor, UCSC Baskin Arts Darkroom, Santa Cruz, CA
2017-2020 - Student Manager, Kresge College Photo Cooperative, Santa Cruz, CA
Published Artworks
2020 Red Wheelbarrow Anthology, Issue 24, August 8
“Who am I? I Don’t Know”, Lightleak Photography Journal, Volume 2
“Oaxaca”, Break Journal, April 4.
“Lost in Space”, Chinquapin Literary Magazine, Volume 41: Suspension
2019 Chinquapin Literary Magazine, Volume 40
Red Wheelbarrow Anthology, Issue 23,
2018 Chinquapin Literary Magazine, Volume 39
Collections
2019 - Intaglio I Archive, Elana Baskin Visual Arts Center, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Grants and Awards
2020 - Dean’s Honors, University of California, Santa Cruz.
The William Hyde and Susan Benteen Irwin Scholarship, Elana Baskin Visual Arts Center, University of California, Santa Cruz.
2019 - Eduardo Carrillo Scholarship, Elana Baskin Visual Arts Center, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Irwin Grant, Elana Baskin Visual Arts Center, University of California, Santa Cruz. (2 time recipient).
2018 - Art + Community Grant, Porter College, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Lectures and Artist Talks
2023- Visiting Artist Lecture, Photo Arts Conservatory, Organized by Silvi Naçi, New York Film Academy, Burbank, CA
2021 - Visiting Artist Lecture, Color Study Group, Organized by Laurie Palmer, Elana Baskin Visual Arts Center, University of California, Santa Cruz.
2020 - Visiting Artist Lecture, Cyanotypes, Organized by Jack Chapman, Elana Baskin Visual Arts Center, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Bibliography
2020 Harrison, Maureen, “UCSC Irwin Scholars 2020 Talk About Their Upcoming Virtual Exhibition”, UCSC Arts Division News & Events Podcast, May 2020.
Harrison, Maureen, “The Show Must (Virtually) Go On”, UC Santa Cruz Magazine, October 2020.
Thaler, Shmuel, “Photo Gallery | Collective Solitude”, Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 29, 2020
2019 Joliff, Josephine, Through Our Lens, ‘South Central Love’, City on a Hill Press, December 6, 2019
Websites
https://colorstudygroup.wixsite.com/-csg/who-we-are-1
https://www.instagram.com/raisedoncentral/