Luciano Calderon is a graphic street artist based in Switzerland and Bolivia. Calderon’s work utilizes primitive figures and outspoken graphics to express his feelings of isolation from both law and society. Luciano created the street wear brand Low Life Clothes utilizing subversive images from his artwork with a loud, youthful exuberance.

On May 22nd, he opened a solo exhibition in Atipaña Art Space. The space is located in Sopocachi, a neighbourhood in the center of La Paz, Bolivia.

Kind Regards caught up briefly with the busy Luciano to get the lowdown on his latest show…

KR: Why did you choose to exhibit in La Paz?
LC: It was very important for me to make a show in La Paz since it’s my hometown. I left my heart here since the first time I left from here.

KR: What was the inspiration behind the works featured in your show?
LC: The theme of all works is basically stuff that I see when I think of La Paz or the City of El Alto (ghetto of Lapaz and home of Luciano). I tried to show the city how I see it with my own eyes – chaotic, simple. Traffic, transit and all the buses is a very important thing in this city which is why I tried to paint them as well.

I have also tried to include typical Bolivian products found in shops.

The “Lago Titicaca” (Lake Titicaca) here is a holy lake with special power, which is something I also wanted to capture in my work.

KR: Tell us more about the work itself and how you presented it?
LC: The show features a mix of photography, paintings are mixed media made using different markers and acrylic color on plywood reinforced with stronger wood.

The sizes vary between 120cmx120cm  and A4. I also included pieces which capture some typical lettering from bus signs (including the destination names).

A run of 30 t-shirts were also made to coincide with the show (all of which sold at the opening).

The show will run from May 22nd – June 5th.

More information on the artist can be found here: http://www.lucianocalderon.com/