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Whatisreal Studios

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Whatisreal Studios presents Israel Carranza

Whatisreal Studios presents Israel CarranzaWhatisreal Studios presents Israel Carranza

Biography

Israel Carranza

Israel Carranza is an artist from Zion, Illinois of Indigenous descent. Being exposed to art and music at an early age, he wanted to be a creator, but growing up with no mentor, Israel sought out art wherever he could find it. He actively read about Mexican and Amerindian painters and looked for Latin fusion music to find inspiration. Israel pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Illustration from the American Academy of Art in Chicago, so he could obtain the tools to hone his artistic style. While a student, he practiced his abstract expressionist discipline, and he interned at the Zhou B Art Center, where he organized and installed large art exhibitions from national and international artists. As a Mixed Mexica man, he is committed to increasing equity in the art world, and on his own time, he works to  introduce underserved communities to art through public galleries. Since graduating from college, Israel has organized twelve art exhibitions in a variety of community locations. Before the pandemic, he was working in California as an art receiver handling pieces from creators like Daniel Arsham, and recently, he moved to Nebraska where he plans to work collaboratively with local artists in order to motivate young creators. Israel’s lifelong goal is to diversify the art world by increasing representation of Indigenous people through gallery exhibits, community conversations, and artistic collaboration. For six years, he has developed a mixed-media portfolio influenced by Mesoamerican people. His paintings and digital work are studies of Amerindian relics as he incorporates ancient deities, sharing their stories and representing them in a surreal and expressionistic style.  Israel is committed to continue increasing the visibility of Native history and cultures, so their people can be inspired by their ancestors to thrive as a community. 

Art Exhibitions and Community work

Art Exhibitions

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Exhibit at Pepe's Bistro

Dec 2021

Abstract Aztec Exhibit 


Showcased paintings of modern interpretations of Mesoamerican deities and important figures in abstract expressionism style.


Exhibit at LUX Center for the Arts

Sept - Oct 2021

Abstract Aztec Exhibit 


Showcased paintings of modern interpretations of Mesoamerican deities and important figures in abstract expressionism style.


Implemented equitable engagement to recruit underserved communities to my guided tours.


Exhibit at Ravens Point Tattoo

May 2021

Organized exhibit, recruited artists, and received and installed artwork. Showcased paintings of modern interpretations of Mesoamerican deities and important figures in abstract expressionism style.
 

Exhibit at Art at the Mall

July 2019

Showcased abstract and surreal paintings.

Music Show at Wauk the Mall

May 2019

Organized live music event, recruited artists, and managed logistics. Showcased abstract paintings. 

Exhibit at Three Brothers

January 2019

Showcased abstract drawings with marker to emphasize line.

Exhibit Karcher Arts Lofts

December 2018

 Showcased Abstract  Aztec paintings.

Exhibit at Cracken Cakes & More

January 2017

Organized art exhibit and live music event,  recruited artists, and received and installed artwork.  Showcased abstract paintings.

Music Show at Local Venue

June 2017

Organized live music event, recruited artists, and managed logistics.

Exhibit at Cracken Cakes & More

December 2016

Organized art exhibit and live music event,  recruited artists, and received and installed artwork.  Showcased abstract paintings. 

Exhibit at Cracken Cakes & More

November 2016

Organized art exhibit and live music event,  recruited artists, and received and installed artwork.  Showcased abstract paintings. 

Art and Music Festival

November 2016

Organized a cultural festival, coordinating 15 musical performances, 5 artists, and 6 vendors, featuring mostly artists of color and achieving over 400 guests.  

Exhibit at Cracken Cakes & More

October 2016

Organized art exhibit and live music event,  recruited artists, and received and installed artwork.  Showcased abstract paintings. 

Musical Presentation at Zhou B Art Center

October 2016

Performed with my Blues Rock N Roll band.

Exhibit at The Filter in Chicago

January 2011

Organized exhibit and live music event and installed artwork.  Showcased ink drawings.


Community Work

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Smiling Eyes / Ojos Sonrientes Video

August 2021

 https://www.facebook.com/Whatisrealstudios/videos/1049437872473351In partnership with the Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods and Arts Alliance Illinois, I created this subtitled and bilingual storytelling video. It shares portraits of Lake County community members and frontline workers and their accounts on how they found joy during the pandemic and how the vaccine affected their lives. 

Community Art Event

June 2020

Collaborated with Dandelion Art Gallery to host community painting event and display art celebrating diversity. Fundraised $500 for art supplies.

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Photo Gallery

 

The painting shows how Aztec Quetzalcoatl, plumed serpent god of wisdom and wind, descent into Mictlan, the underworld,  to collect the bones of the humans of the past. He had to go through Mictlantecuhtli, lord of the underworld, to get back out of Mictlan.  I showed it in this particular style, to show the chaotic nature of what one can go through and still find peace with themselves to get through obstacles of life. I choose to depict this because to me, it is a very important piece of art and an interesting story to tell. Their story has continued to be relevant throughout the century because it conveys that people can go through hell, but if we are clever enough, we could find our way out and escape it.

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