Meet Saray Suarez

We were lucky to catch up with Saray Suarez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Saray, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I built my confidence and self-esteem by rethinking the world around me. I spoke Spanish first, so school brought challenges. I had to ask, “Why is this harder for me? Why do I not understand things as fast as others?” I noticed how my family and I were watched. Still, I was told I could do or become anything. My parents spoke limited English, but they never held back from moving through the world. This showed me what it meant to try without fear. My dad often told me to keep my head up and not let others define my worth. As I grew, I kept pushing myself to do what felt hard. I would ask, “Why does this feel hard? Is there a reason?” I learned to move through things with thought and care. That is how I stay steady. This gives me a sense of control in my daily life. Feeling unsure or out of place happens, but the key is to ask why and how to respond. Some spaces will challenge your sense of belonging. Still, it is important to know that your presence adds something real to those spaces, so do not hold yourself back. My confidence and self-esteem come from being present and intentional with myself.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am an artist recognized for abstract drawings and digital art. My art emphasizes freedom of expression and is based on life experiences. I believe art is inherently democratic and works to expand its meaning beyond conventional boundaries. I invite viewers to engage with art free from algorithmic influence, fostering genuine exploration. My work reflects a personal journey of identity as a descendant of Mexican parents, addressing the concept of decolonization. My art examines the meaning of Chicano/Mestizaje, recontextualizing it personally. By addressing the aesthetics imposed by colonization in the Americas, I prompt viewers to consider the operation of power dynamics through art. I am an ATC senior (Art, Technology, and Culture) student at the University of Oklahoma.

I am currently working on drawings that consider the theme of “Existing Between Displacement and
Belonging.” This project is funded by the UReCA Fellowship at the University of Oklahoma, and is showing August 25th-29th at the Fred Jones Jr. Art Center in the Spotlight Gallery. This body of work examines what belonging means and how it can help us understand a bigger problem in the exisence of human struggles around the world.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three skills that were most impactful in my journey as an artist is understanding concept, research, and nuance. Finding the concepts that mean the most to you are vital for being intentional in your career. The research that you conduct then prompts you to new findings and understandings for creating strong pieces. Finally, nuance helps you keep and open mind. As artists, we must understand that everything is in conversation with each other. Therefore, any concept or idea, that being Art or literature, is created under the politics of the maker and time. My advice to artists early in their journey would be to never stop yourself, especially if things feel uncomfortable, because there is always a lesson to be learned.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I am overwhelmed I try to remind myself to do things one step at a time and be present. My advice would be to go outside and take a short walk because changing your environment helps change your mindset.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _jsaraysuarez_