J.Duh
I am a first generation Nicaraguense, self/community-taught artist, born and raised in San José, California. As a full time artist/illustrator/muralist, I experiment with punching up classic Americana hand-painted signage, and lean into the street cultures and styles I was involved in growing up. I enjoy the challenge that comes with improvising upon any surprises that arise while painting, and this pushes me to see out the final product in an organic raw fashion leaving high energy all over my projects. I like to think of this style and feeling of expression as similar to the in-the-moment freedom of skateboarding or graffiti art.
In the past few years I focused largely on creating public art. This includes large scale murals/signs done by hand, as well as large scale vector designs installed with vinyl. You can find my public work at places such as Eastridge Mall, Yahoo! (San José Campus), San José Giants Stadium, Oracle (San José Campus), POW!WOW! SAN JOSE, Nutanix (San José Campus), City of Palo Alto, California’s Great America, Voyager Coffee, Chromatic Coffee, Five Points Bar, MiniBoss, and more. I am not exclusive to the Bay Area and have work as far as Seattle, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, and even Nicaragua. When Covid restrictions and lock downs slowed my public work, I found myself putting more time into my fine art, creating full bodies of work with different themes furthering my discovery as a new contemporary artist. I have yet to create something so grand on the Eastside of San Jose, and would be honored to add to the beauty of the community by being a part of a local landmark like this.
Interior Design
This design for the interior wall is inspired by the daily growth we all go through individually and as a community. The potted house plants symbolize the community/residents of the Quetzal Gardens Complex growing together.
The colors of flowers, pots, and background color can also be changed, and the flowers will wrap around to the otherside of the wall for a more dynamic experience from multiple angles.
Exterior Design
The exterior design features orange shelves that will line up and match each floor of the building bringing decoration to the wall with a symbiotic feeling of “home”, something that I’m proud to say San Jose is to me!
The knick knacks on the shelves pay homage to SJ with items like the Sharkie bobblehead, a clock reading 4:08, and the huelga bird (symbol of the United Farmer Workers, Cesar Chavez).
I also want to note that this concept is flexible in the way, such that we can add/subtract and/or simplify objects on the shelf, color scheme, and subjects.
