O. Gustavo Plascencia

The constructive nature of identity, the conflict that individuals face constructing their identities, and the duality of private and public lives are the main elements in my creative artwork. Many of the stories depicted in my work are metaphors of family secrets, personal struggles, and shared experiences – both in public and private places. The alternative presentation for photography such as mixed media, photo-constructions and installation allow me to piece together fading memories or stories and reconstruct them and fill in the gaps by adding new elements, meaning, or knowledge to a fading and incomplete memory. I often present narratives in the form of tableaux reminiscent of altarpieces exploring the intersections of the human body and landscape and how the individual’s identity reacts or is affected by the landscape/place itself. Where the body represents a place to be inhabited and the place itself is considered an extension of the body.
All of the images in my work talk of the duality – and sometimes conflict – between domesticity and utilitarianism, personal and communal, self and society. By rearranging and reconstructing stories, landscapes or memories; I explore ideas of home, self, gender, domesticity, and personal histories.

Artist, educator, and cultural leader committed to building meaningful connections between art, community, and place. Raised in Coahuila, Mexico, and now based in Miami, my creative work explores the intersections of photography, migration, memory, and landscape.

I’m interested in how environments carry traces of personal and collective histories, and how art can create spaces for dialogue, reflection, and belonging. I continue to engage in conversations around cultural sustainability, public practice, and the relationship between art and social experience. Whether through teaching, administration, or studio practice, I aim to contribute to projects that strengthen communities, encourage curiosity, and leave a lasting impact.

As Dean of Visual Arts at New World School of the Arts, I work to support emerging artists by fostering collaborative, inclusive, and forward-thinking learning environments. My experience spans higher education leadership, curriculum development, public engagement, and interdisciplinary programming, with a strong belief in the transformative role arts education plays within communities.