Born and raised in Houston, TX, Angel Castelán is an interdisciplinary artist who works in painting, drawing, printmaking, and assemblages. Castelán earned both his BFA with a minor in art history and his MFA from the University of Houston in 2019. Following graduation Castelán became an educator at Art League Houston, Houston Community College, and Lone Star College. Castelán has shown his work throughout Houston including The Holocaust Museum, The Blaffer Art Museum, Hooks-Epstein Gallery, and Zoya Tommy Gallery. He currently has a studio at BOX 13 Artspace and is represented by Hooks-Epstein gallery in Houston.
Artist Statement:
Because they hide for so long, only to eventually emerge, their screams inescapable.
Layers upon layers, intersections, and complications.
How identities and paintings are made.
The male gaze on the male figure.
Is it subversion, perversion, or worship?
Let’s talk about “everyone knows but nobody talks about it”.
You escape one prison only to be assaulted by machismo, racism, and homophobia.
Is that why the chicharra resonates with me?
Because its life cycle is so much like the coming out process.
Which, by the way, never ends.
No offense, but are you gay?
Well, hello to you too.
It’s cool if you are, just don’t hit on me, bro.
Top or bottom?
Bitch, I might be.
Sorry. How are you?
Gay, thanks.
