John Joseph Contreras Romero
John Joseph Contreras Romero is a sculptor whose work explores war, trauma, cultural displacement, and lost innocence. Through sculpture, he evokes memories and sparks conversations about violence, power, and defying societal norms. For him, art is a vehicle for healing, connection, and understanding.
Born to Mexican immigrant parents in Silicon Valley, John’s upbringing shaped his outlook on the American Dream—and the harsh realities that often accompany it. His work reflects personal experiences with poverty, domestic violence, military service, and loss, including the deaths of a father figure and his father within the same week.
John’s art addresses marginalized voices and challenges mainstream narratives. He believes art offers cathartic possibilities and warns of the mental health risks tied to the loss of art education. John art gives a lasting message of love, empathy, and the hope of making the world a better place.