DU Alumnus Uses Chihuahuas to Authentically Depict Culture and Dissuade Stereotypes

"Come and Take It" by Justin Bravo (2023). 

DU alumnus Justin Bravo believes that artists are cultural scribes. 

"They take in what’s going on in the world and reflect those experiences in their work, enhancing what is known," Bravo said. 

A 2023 graduate from the School of Art and Art History with a Bachelor of Fine Art and Studio Art, part of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Bravo expresses identities — his own and others’ — in his creations. 

“I became an artist because I needed something that enriches my soul and ideally, helps make the world a better place," Bravo said. 

Throughout his work, Bravo depicts Latinx culture and individuals from diverse and historically underrepresented communities, derived from his observations of others and his own experiences as a Latino man.

As a proud owner of two chihuahuas, he portrays this dog breed in his art juxtaposed against perverse images often linked to Latinos. Historically, chihuahuas have sometimes been seen as a reflection of temperament and aggression in Latino people, according to Bravo. His art aims to dispute these stereotypes.

“Thinking about the history and ancestry of my people, chihuahuas were spiritual guardians. They would keep children warm at night and alert people of danger,” he said. “In the history of art and visual media, people of color often don’t get to define their own identity.”

Bravo's current artistic ambition revolves around creating portrait images in which the subject selects how they want to be portrayed, relying on bright color pallets resembling Pride flags, Latino figures and chihuahua imagery to communicate the subject's story. Through his artistic practice, Bravo hopes “to make hard conversations easier through art,” he said.

Bravo’s desires, both in life and in art, revolve around encouraging inclusivity. He currently works for First@DU, part of the Student Affairs and Inclusive Excellence’s (SAIE) Dean of Students Office, and is dedicated to helping first-generation and immigrant students succeed. Every day he strives “to be inclusive and make sure that this place is as welcoming as it should be,” he said. 

Through his dedication to authentic depictions of culture and identity, Bravo has become a cultural scribe of his own, reflecting his distinct experiences through vibrant color and artistic expression. To some, chihuahuas are just pets; to Bravo, they are a reflection of his ancestors and chosen family - his guardians. 

To learn more about Bravo and his art, visit here.