Juan Arango Palacios: “Tierra Caliente”

Juan Arango Palacios: Artist Talk | Herron School of Art + Design Presented as part of the Michael A. and Laurie Burns McRobbie Emerging Artist Series Juan Arango Palacios, a Colombian-born artist and rising voice in contemporary figurative painting, visited Herron School of Art + Design to share his story, process, and the emotional roots of his practice. Speaking candidly with students, Palacios reflected on how memory, family, queerness, and his Colombian identity shape the dreamlike narratives found in his work. “I think about nostalgia as a queer lens through which I can talk about everything—memory, displacement, longing... but also hope.” Currently pursuing his MFA at the University of Chicago, Palacios shared insights into his path from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to solo exhibitions across the country. He recounted personal stories of growing up between cultures and navigating identity, often returning to the idea that his work is about “rendering yourself visible when you’ve been taught to hide.” Throughout the talk, students were encouraged to embrace softness, vulnerability, and ambiguity in their own work. Palacios emphasized that technical skill is secondary to authenticity—and that the best work comes from asking honest questions. “You don’t need to know everything when you make something. Sometimes not knowing is what makes it powerful.” This lecture is part of the Michael A. and Laurie Burns McRobbie Emerging Artist Series, which supports national and international emerging artists from diverse backgrounds through public talks, residencies, and exhibitions.