Samuel Miranda’s Folks exhibition is inspired by the rich stories of the folks in the Mount Pleasant “barrio”; as well as the stories he’s encountered during his travels to Madrid and Havana. By seeking out and building close relationships with musicians and artists resident in the community, Miranda is initiated into the local culture, given passage into each community’s history, and given permission to excavate memories and stories.

Often working from the subject’s storytelling and archived photographs, Miranda captures the pulse of the past in the energetic present. As a figurative artist, he uses portraiture to depict the subject's narrative utilizing various mediums. Through screen printing, embroidery and painting, longtime community members of Mount Pleasant such as Pepe Gonzalez (Spanish Joe) and Rudy Morales (Flaco Frio) are venerated as the founding members of Zapata, a band that had a major musical impact on the music scene in DC during the 70’s. 

Artistic collaborations are important to Miranda’s practice, and collaborations in many ways are communal and an invitation to experience a unique perspective by working with another artist. For Miranda, collaborations build conversation, nurture growth, and push him to experiment. Within this exhibition Drum and Voice Remember is a notable collaboration with Cuban artist Lazaro Batista in a portrait of Rigore and Juan Roberto Dominich, two men who immigrated from Cuba to the U.S. as part of a group known as the Marielitos and could be found every Sunday at Malcolm X Park’s drum circle that has become a tradition for many years. Miranda painted the portraits and Batista painted the railings, reminiscent of the decorative metal work used in balconies, windows, and doorways in Habana. 

As Washington, D.C.and it’s culture rich communities continue to undergo gentrification, Miranda's work serves as a reminder to honor the communities and the narratives that came before us, and that continue to be an integral part of the fabric of these communities. 

Folks solo exhibition by Samuel Miranda is on display at The Silva Gallery x Latela Curatorial. January 14 – April 10, 2022. Located at The Silva DC 1630 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009. Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm and Sun noon-5pm. A public reception will be held for the artist, date TBA. All artwork displayed is available for purchase. All inquiries for art purchases should be directed to Latela Curatorial: studio@lateladc.com.

About the Gallery: 

The Silva Gallery x Latela Curatorial at the Silva provides additional exhibition opportunities and curated promotion to local artists in the Greater Washington, DC area. The art gallery, located in the building's reception area, is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon until 5 p.m. For updates on exhibition openings and other art related events, visit here.

About the Artist:

Samuel Miranda grew up in the South Bronx and resides in Washington, DC. He is a visual artist, poet and teacher who uses his craft to highlight the value of everyday people and places. His work is heavily influenced by Puerto Rican culture and family history, as well as his interactions with his students, people he encounters in his travels, and DC locals. Much of his work is figurative and explores how the body and face illustrate the successes, hardships and beliefs that people carry with them. He is the author of Departure a chapbook published by Central Square Press and We Is published by Zozobra Publishing. He is currently working on collaborative projects with musicians and visual artists about the deep connections they are able to make through their artwork. Samuel’s artwork has been exhibited internationally in Puerto Rico and Madrid, as well as, in New York and Washington DC. Most recently Samuel’s artwork has been included in the Smithsonian’s new Molina Family Latino Gallery inaugural exhibition ¡Presente! His artwork has been included in university and private collections.   

Artist Statement:

“I am a figurative artist, who paints the people around me or ones who live in the memories shared by those people. Whether those portraits are embroidered, screen-printed or painted, each portrait captures an expression or a stance that is woven into a larger yet intimate narrative. 

The artwork in this exhibition highlights folks, who have set down roots in DC and call Mount Pleasant home, and some who have found home in Madrid or La Habana. They are folks who I have had a chance to share space with, folks who have shared stories, meals, a bottle of wine or rum with me. They are folks who make music, make art, and write poetry. Folks who serve drinks, study law or literature. Folks who grew up in the neighborhoods we now find trendy, when black and brown and poor was the reality. Folks who immigrated from home, to countries that did not always welcome them but in which they made a home anyway. Not all people are folk, folk are the people who listen, who share, who find a place for you. These portraits are of folk.”

About Latela Curatorial:

Based in Washington DC with presence in Los Angeles, Barcelona and Milan, Latela Curatorial is an international art advisory and curatorial studio serving art collectors, design and corporate professionals, institutions, artists, and communities.

For all projects, LC's mission is to continuously question how support is defined in the artworld and to advocate on behalf of the artist and arts workers. LC's attitude is to nurture with a matriarchal approach: creating generative and sustainable opportunities for artists, collectors and communities alike.

About The Silva:

Developed by EastBanc and Mitsui Fudosan America, Inc. and managed by Bozzuto, The Silva features 172 thoughtfully designed apartments ranging from studios to two bedrooms, including 10 penthouse suites, making it the ideal home for residents looking to immerse themselves in the eclectic lifestyle of Adams Morgan while experiencing the best of high-end living. At The Silva, residents will find a rooftop terrace with sweeping views of the Capitol and the Washington Monument from the building’s infinity pool, a private courtyard with lush greenery, and within each unit, state-of-the-art appliances and acoustical design.

Prospective residents can learn more about the building and pre-leasing options by visiting www.thesilvadc.com.