Meet Carlo Gutierrez | Multimedia & Conceptual Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carlo Gutierrez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carlo, why did you pursue a creative career?
My journey as an artist began in my childhood. Ever since I was in 5th grade, people recognized my creativity and would often ask me to draw something for them. Whether it was for a school project, a birthday card, or just a whimsical idea. I found joy in bringing ideas to life through art. It was during those formative years that I realized how much I loved creating and how natural it felt to express myself through visuals.

As I grew older, this passion only deepened. Art became my way of interpreting the world around me, a tool to capture emotions, tell stories, and explore concepts that words alone couldn’t convey. I found inspiration in everything—from the vibrancy of the city to the complexity of human emotions, and even the fleeting beauty of everyday moments. Creating art became both my escape and my connection to the world, a way to process and share my perspective.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As a multimedia artist, I constantly strive to challenge myself with every piece I create. Whether it’s a painting, a sculpture, or a conceptual piece of art, I see each project as an opportunity to push my boundaries, explore new techniques, and convey deeper layers of meaning. I approach my work with the mindset that growth comes from stepping out of my comfort zone and embracing the unknown.

Much of my inspiration comes from the world around me. Everyday sights, textures, and interactions fuel my creativity. It could be the texture and color of a material I see or things I see while driving. These observations become the foundation for my work, allowing me to interpret and reimagine them in ways that resonate with both me and my audience. One example of being inspired by everyday sights is a non-permanent installation I did in a parking lot. I made a white and red line using 40 red cars and 40 white cars and parking them next to each other. This piece lasted less than 2 hours and was inspired by seeing cars of the same color, and sometimes the same model, parked next to each other while I would look for a parking space in shopping centers or at the university. I found it interesting that people driving the same model car of the same color and that lived in different parts of the city would end up parking next to each other in a parking lot. I decided to expand on this idea and park all these cars next to each other.

I’m particularly drawn to the stories and connections hidden within the mundane, finding beauty and significance in what others might overlook. By combining these inspirations with my artistic experimentation, I aim to create pieces that not only challenge me but also evoke thought, emotion, and dialogue in others. An example of finding beauty in the mundane is a piece I did using pink fiberglass insulation inside transparent plexiglass boxes. This piece was inspired by the beautiful shades of pinks and the texture in the pink insulation that makes it look like if it was flesh. I wanted to show the beauty of this material that is usually hidden in between walls. This piece is 9′ x 9′ and is part of the private collection of The El Paso Museum of Art in El Paso, TX.

Every new piece is an exploration—a chance to question, reinterpret, and innovate. My goal is to continuously evolve as an artist while staying true to the inspiration and curiosity that drive me.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way is to always trust in myself and my ability to come up with innovative solutions when creating a new piece of art.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Since I am a morning person, I would take them to have breakfast at either Mamacita’s or Taft Diaz restaurant. Both are in the heart of downtown El Paso, Texas and probably have the best atmosphere and breakfast in the downtown area. Next, we would walk to El Paso Museum of Art. After the museum We could walk across the border to Cd. Juarez, Mexico and do a bit of sightseeing.
Next day I would take my friends on a 45-minute drive to Old Mesilla, New Mexico. Old Mesilla is a small town with most buildings made of adobe. There is a church and a plaza in the center of town. There are shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and bookstores around the plaza. One block from the plaza is the Fountain Theater. The theater is a very small theater made of adobe where you can catch a foreign movie while at the same time enjoying a delicious piece of chocolate cake and a coffee.
We could also visit Carlsbad Caverns, take a hike in the Frankling Mountains or spend a couple of days visiting Marfa and Alpine, Texas.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My art professors in the university especially Ray Parish in sculpture and Jim Quinnan in painting, they were my most important mentors. They played a pivotal role in shaping the artist I am today. They pushed me to experiment, to take risks, and to embrace the vulnerability that comes with sharing my work with the world. They also taught me how to accept constructive criticism and use it to grow, which has been invaluable throughout my career.

Their belief in me gave me the confidence to pursue art not just as a hobby but as a meaningful profession. Today, as I continue my journey, I strive to honor their teachings by constantly evolving, exploring new concepts, and sharing the stories and emotions that inspire me. My work is a reflection of their influence, combined with my own passion and vision.

Website: https://carlosgutierrezartist.com

Instagram: carlosgutierrezmx

Image Credits
All images Carlos Gutierrez