Artist’s Statement

I’m both a photographer and an actor. This combination sparks incredible inspiration in me as I clash with either discipline. My plight to be seen as a Latine actor and to be cast in roles that demand a full emotional spectrum has been one of endless pursuit. This chase has transitioned seamlessly into my photography. Through my auto-portraiture I aim to create space for myself to exist in a world that trains itself to reduce one’s existence into a stereotype. I'm a joyfully Puerto Rican; proudly Latin American artist who lives and makes art in the United States. 

My auto-portraiture is my most intimate offering- I invite the viewer to occupy the space between the camera and myself. If and when I photograph others, I’m looking for their contact points with my major queries, which largely orbit around concepts of perception, identity, social justice, and authenticity.

My work is instigated by my surroundings and often political in nature. My latest approach to portraiture has focused mostly on capturing my subject AFTER an emotionally taxing instance or a major life event. This is the common ground- the equaliser with my subjects- the person’s ability to recuperate. A word is said out loud and my subject reacts to this word. I point my lens, I press the shutter, and I capture the recovery of truth. There’s nothing more genuine for me than that phase.

Bio

Jorge Luna was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At the age of seven he was inspired by a virtuoso circus performance by a troupe called Círcolo. As a child, Jorge was known to steal his mother’s point and shoot film camera (an Olympus Stylus AF 35mm) to take the occasional picture of his toys. Once his mother developed the film Jorge collected a much unwanted earful and spanking. He finally received his first film camera, a Kodak Ektralite 10 when he was around twelve years old. He carried that thing everywhere.

During his early teenage years he discovered his addiction to live performance when he started off as a dj. He particularly loved being smuggled into nightclubs to spin a vinyl or two before midnight. Self-taught in photography, Jorge’s formal training is in acting. His late teenage years and early twenties were highly influenced by multiple jobs including dj, car mechanic, server, personal trainer, photographer, and actor. However, it was his dj/photographer/acting pursuit that has created a deep, solid foundation that serves him well towards his artistic endeavours. He moved to New York City in his mid twenties to pursue acting and photography. 

He currently lives in New York with his wife, Keelie and pit bull Arturo. He has one son, Otto. Instagram @jorgelunaphotography, @jorgelunadj

Grants

• 2023- Individual Artist Commission from the Arts Center of the Capital Region in New York State for a new auto-portrait series called “The Other”

Publications

• 2023- Voices de la Luna- A Quarterly Literature and Art Magazine- San Antonio, TX-  98 Days

• 2023- ARTWIFE- Digital Literary and Arts Magazine- Online- 98 Days

Select Photography Exhibitions

• 2023- Feigenbaum Center for Visual Arts (solo exhibition)- Schenectady, New York- “The Other” (Auto-portrait Series)

• 2023- Gallerium Portraits- (collective exhibition)- Ontario, Canada- ¿Tú? #3

• 2018- Abrons Arts Center (solo exhibition)- New York, NY- AFTER (the 2016 USA election) Portrait and Auto-portrait Series

• 2017- The Art Room (solo exhibition)- San Juan, Puerto Rico- 98 Days (Auto-portrait Series)

• 2016- The Irondale Center (solo exhibition)- Brooklyn, New York- The Ume Group After Rehearsal (Portrait and Auto-portrait Series)

• 2015- Greenpoint Gallery (collective exhibition)- Brooklyn, New York- Various pieces on display

• 2010- Photography Biennale (collective exhibition)- San Juan, Puerto Rico- ¿Tú? #3

• 2010- Paris Health Club (solo exhibition)- New York, NY- Various pieces on display