photo by: Geoff Green
STATEMENT
My work as a multidisciplinary artist intersects conceptualism, cultural identity, and BioArt. My practice brings together traditional media and organic materials—flora, soil, plaster, diatomaceous earth—to create work that blurs the line between nature and art, the personal and the collective.
Rooted in spirituality and cultural heritage, my work draws from my background in floristry, gardening, and the Tejano diaspora. I explore and reinterpret Chicano art theory and Curanderismo through a contemporary lens, integrating minimal aesthetics and modern technology to bridge tradition and innovation.
Much of my work takes the form of site-specific installations that respond to their environments. These pieces are experiences designed to activate space, invite reflection, and spark dialogue around ecology, resilience, and our relationship with the natural world.
I see my practice as a space for connection and transformation. Themes of adaptability, perseverance, and cultural continuity are central to what I create. Whether through material choices, conceptual frameworks, or the environments my work inhabits, I aim to cultivate a sense of curiosity, presence, and possibility.
Above all, my work is about making space—for questions, for memory, for complexity—and encouraging others to engage with the world a little more deeply.
BIO
Juan M. Villanueva is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative path stretches from the wildflower-lined landscapes of South Texas, where generations of his family worked the land, to the high-energy art and design scene of Manhattan. That journey, rooted in both cultural memory and ecological awareness, shapes every facet of his practice.
Trained as a painter and sculptor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Villanueva blends his fine arts background with a deep love of floral design. Since founding his design company, Villanueva Designs, in 2008, he’s been weaving together art, nature, and storytelling—creating immersive, multisensory experiences that live somewhere between the gallery and the garden.
His solo debut in Chelsea in 2023 marked a new chapter in his creative evolution, showcasing a body of work that reinterprets the Tejano diaspora, Rasquachismo, and Curanderismo through a modern, minimalist lens. The result is art that’s both grounded and forward-thinking—balancing resourcefulness, cultural resonance, and a thoughtful use of technology.
Beyond the studio, Juan shares his expertise as an instructor at FlowerSchool NY, where his courses on floral design and large-scale, site-specific installations are in high demand. His influence extends internationally, shaping the next generation of designers and artists through a unique blend of craft, concept, and cultural awareness.
His work has drawn the attention of leading institutions and brands, from competing on the HGTV/Discovery+ series Clipped! (judged by none other than Martha Stewart) to creating a commissioned floral sculpture for Porsche USA at the New York City Ballet’s spring 2023 opening.
Whether teaching, designing, or installing large-scale works, Juan M. Villanueva continues to build a practice that’s equal parts thoughtful, innovative, and deeply rooted.
IMDb
EMAIL
info@villanuevadesigns.com