Meet Miguel Angel Monzón: Interdisciplinary Artist and Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Miguel Angel Monzón and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Miguel Angel, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is necessary for growth. I believe it’s been front and center for the majority of my life. Confronting your fears is a giant part of being an artist for me. I’ve always felt that if I got too comfortable doing any one thing it is time to try something different. Keeping things challenging is a way for me to stay creative and invested in a project. I’ve said for a long time that a deadline is one of the best ways to create creative pressure. If focused, that pressure can hopefully help create diamonds. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m currently exploring issues of technology, privacy, free speech, and conspiracy in my work. I’m mostly working in video at the moment but am also making digital prints and wheat pastes. If I was forced to say what sets me apart from other artists I would say that it’s my flexibility. I am comfortable in a collaborative effort as well as a solo and more singularly focused project. Currently, I’m excited about a video project I just completed for another artist. It was a short retrospective of sorts, it was really different and challenging and I am really happy with how it turned out. I have no secrets as far how I got to where I am. I can honestly say it’s mostly just being stubborn and not taking no for an answer. Once I decided that my life would always involve art I haven’t really looked back. It just is. Don’t get me wrong, there is a ton of room for progression and I think getting to a point where only making art is my eventual goal. The financial aspect of being an artist is always the toughest part. Ask any artist. I would just like to leave a body of work behind that people can look at many decades later and see what the world was like when I was in it. I want to leave work behind that challenges the common notions of our society. I just want to leave my mark.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to eat breakfast at Coronado a great vegan spot on 7th st. Then we’d head south to the mountain for a hike. After that, I would take them to visit any open galleries, the Heard, PAM, SMoCA, and any public installations and murals. Wed have lunch at La Santísima on 16th st. We’d definitely hit up the skatepark after, probably Desert West in west Phoenix. After that we could hit up Lost Leaf (if it was still open) and surrounding bars for a few drinks. We’d end the night at my friends business Charlie’s Tacos on 7th Ave for some bomb asada tacos. I think that’d be a good day right there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shoutout artist Ann Morton, a former professor that I consider to be a mentor and friend. Ann has encouraged my practice and has help support it in many ways. I’ve had the pleasure of having extended conversations with her about a variety of topics regarding art and the art world. I always come out of them with a broader perspective and renewed vision. She has inspired me with her work and her selfless approach to art making.

Website: www.miguelangelmonzon.com
Instagram: @monzonrojo
Twitter: @angelrojo
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/imkindarational
Youtube: www.YouTube.com/redmonsoonproductions