Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Alonzo Pantoja of Lubbock, TX

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Alonzo Pantoja. Check out our conversation below.

Alonzo, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I have recently started my PhD in Fine Arts and so my day usually starts off with coffee followed by checking my emails. I then start to make my way to campus. Depending on the day I might be going to class of my own or I might be going to help assist a class. Usually I have 2 classes a day. Once class is over I will go to the library and print out the readings for class, or do some grading. After classes are over I go home. I check emails one more time. Once that is done I then make dinner, sit and watch tv. Usually a Spanish show or RuPaul’s Drag Race. After that I do some homework or review a reading for the next day. Lastly, more tv and then bed.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello my name is Alonzo Pantoja I am a queer, Mexican descent, artist, educator and PhD student in Fine arts at Texas Tech University. I have an MFA in Visual Studies in Fiber & Installation and my BFA in Painting & Drawing. My practice embodies both my Mexican and queer identity. Using my childhood of growing up fishing and being surrounded by tejido (weaving) has constructed a language for me as a practitioner in fiber arts. My work approaches weaving through site-specificity and exploration of spaces both formally and conceptually. I work unconventionally with fishing line often creating “looms” out of windows, doorspaces and tables. Most recently, I have started to work on a series that uses canvas and embroidery to make servilletas. These common Mexican household items are used to keep tortillas warm. They often have intricate patterns and designs that vary by region. I am integrating similar themes and ideas from my weavings (queerness, orientation, etc). While my weavings are impermanent the servilletas are not. They are exploring my Mexican and queer identity as well as the relationship between painting, fiber and installation.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My family and friends. I am very critical about myself as most people are. I tend to not ask for help even though there are moments where I do need help. I think it has both to do with how I was brought up as well as how I think others perceive me. My family and friends have been good about supporting me throughout my decision making and give me space to be myself. Without them I do not think that I would be the person I am today.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I love this question. There is a similar question that is asked in RuPaul’s Drag Race and I always wanted to answer it. If I could say one kind thing to my younger self it would be to be authentically you. Our society is so mainstream that sometimes we tend to be followers and try to be like other people. When the reality is that we shine brighter when we are ourselves. We tend to connect to those who are free and true to themselves because they are “different.” But being different is okay. In fact, being different is so needed in today’s world. Each of us has so much to contribute to society and in our communities. Being different is scary, but it allows us to be authentic and in doing so, there is more love and acceptance among us.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. Going off from a previous question I live to be authentically myself. Both in my social circles as well as my professional ones. I think the separation for me is that there are certain boundaries or filters in place. It is important to me to be myself. Especially as a gay man. It is important for me to be out and proud and not hide that aspect of my life. All my friends and colleagues get to see the real me everyday. Everyone gets to see and hear me talk about RuPaul’s Drag Race, astrology, memes and art.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
When I am making art. Art has always been there for me. It has been the place that I turn to forget, heal or discover. I always say that my first love was art. It has been in my life since I encountered it. It is a mental head space that allows me to grow as an individual and express myself. And to be able to share that with the world is a true honor.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Seth Dahlseid

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