Roberto Lopez-Rios

Inspired by the journey we all must walk. Life hands us unexpected turns to learn from, yet most of us find ourselves trapped and tangled. We must learn from our struggles how to free ourselves. Only you can set yourself free to fulfill your destiny of infinite possibilities.

Roberto Lopez-Rios

Roberto Lopez-Rios’s interest in art started out similar to others; as a way to kill time.  The blank pieces of paper he said became blank pieces of time which eventually evolved into a way to escape.  He recalls liking his daughter’s reactions to seeing Precious Moments figurines and very quickly after he says, “drawing became the only way I could spend time and express how I felt for her.”  This wasn’t the first time he had dabbled in art though—his best friend [Avra] had encouraged him to exhibit his work at a coffee shop. Later, Espinosa encouraged him to join Art From the Inside and it was there he says he was given a bridge into the community and “a piece of humanity.”

Outside of just a basic introduction to art class, Lopez-Rios doesn’t have any formal training in art and says he just “goes for it.”  He says that his inspiration is all around him and he is still getting used to having open access to everything.  “Inside there’s limited access,” he says so most of what he was exposed to were the classics like Van Gogh, da Vinci, and other classical artists.  His eyes light up when he talks about one of his favorite works, Gericault’s The Raft of Medusa.  “There are these people….and they’re all trying to survive and there are all these waves and for some reason that always speaks to me….back then they didn’t have photographs so we’re talking about having to study anatomy and bodies, the vanishing point, and balance and everything.”

In addition to having a solid grasp on classical technique and mechanics of creating art, Roberto is also concerned about the lasting impact of his art.  He says, “At one point, we are going to be gone…so it’s like leaving a little piece of your consciousness or leaving something beautiful for someone’s eyes to see….it’s like fossilizing emotions, thoughts, personality, your humanity, who you are, what you’re going through…and for people to translate that later on in the future is like a coded message and only some will be able to see it or not necessarily understand them, but maybe they’ll feel it.”

While he hasn’t considered the immortality of some of the classical artists he used to find inspiration in, Roberto may soon become something of a legacy himself.  During a recent visit with the Espinosas to a local gallery, a casual conversation with friends turned into sharing stories.  “I don’t know exactly how it went down,” he says, “but it turns out [one of the people we were talking to] was a filmmaker and we started sharing our story and she’s like, ‘oh my god! I gotta film you.’ So we took pictures and then she’s like, ‘I have to have you on this documentary’…..and by the next day she was interviewing me.”  And it doesn’t stop there—the gallery that was the backdrop to this meeting will be the site of his exhibit next year.  Roberto says he’s most looking forward working on bigger pieces. “That’s something new and incredible,” he says.  “Thanks to the people, the support…my friend who was there. That means the most.”

What do the next five years look like?

“That’s a hard question because I’m fairly new to this life right now and there are so many directions I can go. But first and foremost, I hope that in five years I’m well physically and mentally healthy and financially stable….with the people I care about by my side. [I think about] the blessings that people are in each other’s lives; the people we choose to keep around. In this case, my friend Avra, my mother, my daughter, the Espinosas….they can’t be here, but they’re still in touch. We’re still in contact. They’re along for this journey.

2021 Transformation Exhibition

ARTIST STATEMENT

Traditionally violence has been the language many men see or become familiar with within these walls. At what point does the DOC actually begin to invest real time and resources to help these men discover their talents, from which society as a whole and the individuals can benefit?

Incarcerated men have no way to reconnect, nor build any type of support system conducive to change because of restrictions and the negative stigma attached to prison. Projects as such give the community a chance to see a different side and gives the men a sense of accomplishment, an opportunity to be recognized, and reconnect with the self and others, an experience that can be life changing, due to the fact that most of these men have never had such experiences. Do you see this different approach that involves the community inside and out, with so much potential, as something that can be applied to current or new programs?

This approach is like building bridges to a path of healing both the individual and community. It starts the process of growth, gives men a purpose and direction in life. How can we redirect the focus of punishment, to a positive reinforcement type of approach that focuses on making better people by capitalizing on their interests/talents in arts and crafts?

Why do you use the medium you use?

I use whatever medium I'm drawn to at the time. I believe creativity is the most important thing. Therefore the type of medium does not matter.

What role does art play in your life?

Art is my passion, the part of me that can only be expressed by projecting it through colors and shapes, taking a physical form for the world to see. A role in my life that links me to my past, as I create in the moment for the future to leave remnants of myself long after I am gone. 

What inspires you to create?

I'm inspired by the flames of creativity that are fueled by the hopes, dreams, compassion, and humanity that I have clinched on to. My desire to inspire, inspires me as well.

Embrace