A Love Letter To… - Juan Cruz Solo Exhibition
Exhibition: January 27 - February 8, 2025
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 1st - 6-9pm
Hosted by the Booker T. Washington High School Visual Arts Guild
Music curated by DJ MISO.
Closing Reception and a conversation with the artist: Saturday, February 8th - 6:30-8pm.
Art on Main is proud to present A Love Letter To…, a solo exhibition by artist, Juan Cruz.
This deeply personal body of work reflects the artist’s journey of love, identity, and cultural connection. Inspired by the Arabic language, Japanese anime, and the concept of “chance,” Cruz creates dynamic compositions that weave together themes of personal commitment, heritage, and transformation. Using four powerful words—Juan, Malak, Free, and Palestine—the artist explores the intersection of design and meaning, transforming what started as handmade stencils from his engagement to Malak into vibrant, evocative paintings.
Through his innovative use of line, color, and movement, Cruz’s work captures both the intimate and the universal. A Love Letter To… is a visual homage to his wife, his faith, and the resilience of the Palestinian people.
Visitors are invited to experience this journey firsthand at the opening reception on February 1st, hosted by the Booker T Washington Visual Arts Guild , featuring music curated by DJ MISO, and at the closing reception on February 8th, where Cruz will engage in an artist talk and conversation about the stories behind his work. This exhibition is a testament to love in all its forms—a promise, a unity, and a celebration of connection.
ARTIST STATEMENT
This body of work represents a unity and a journey between two individuals in a space. What started as handmade stencils for our engagement became a series of paintings. These paintings are created using four different words: Juan, Malak, Free, and Palestine. In a way, these words are a time-stamp of my journey with Islam and my wife. Inspired by the Arabic language and Japanese anime, my work mimics both through the use of line, color, and movement.
I am interested in “chance.” What happens if I take something recognizable and flip, turn, rotate, or overlap? Will the meaning change, or just the design? To me, these took on a whole different meaning. They became love letters or notes dedicated to my wife and the people of Palestine. A Love Letter To… is a collection of work that depicts my journey and my love.
A Love Letter to..
These are my letters to you.
To us.
To me.
They are a visual description of my commitment to us.
A promise to our people.
-Juan Cruz
