Gabriel Jeronimo

GABRIEL JERONIMO was born in Orange, California, and currently lives in West Oakland. His interest in drawing began at a young age and, to settle his curiosity, his parents bought him many drawing books. From then on, Gabriel was hooked. His favorite teachers introduced him to artists such as Keith Haring and encouraged him to present his artwork in front of the classroom. His passion for creativity was always encouraged by his parents, teachers and fellow classmates. As he got older, his interest in oil paintings grew, although he would not experiment with the medium until he went to art school.

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Artist Statement

My paintings often reference the complex beauty of the human portrait and the numerous unique masks we wear daily. By exploring these two subjects, I want to create a relationship between American fine art and Mexican folk art. My portraits are a commentary on the unique nature of contemplation within the human experience. I aim to capture a moment in time that will evoke a sense of soft longing nostalgia, making the viewer feel present, even if just for a brief moment, and eventually becoming a memory in the distance. The images may be blurry in our minds but the feelings remain the same while ingrained in all of us.

The Mascaras series of paintings are influenced by the removal of traditional norms that folk masks are often associated with and instead incorporating them into a new “contrasting” environment, like grimy city walls. By doing this, I am able to bridge the gap between the rural and the urban, two worlds divided by a border. The work is meant to remind people of their ancestral roots and customs, and how they are carried through our lineage, migration, and bodies of land while making its adaptation to our current environment. This body of work is also a way of commemorating the various cultures and rich traditions that make Mexico the magical place we know today and its continued influence throughout the world.