Photo by Diana Espín.
Pɑp.kɔɹn is the most recent iteration in a series of murals by Carolina Casusol that focuses on regional colloquialisms, words, and phrases, such as the various ways popcorn is known or referred to in Latin America. This body of work is an attempt to bring about an exchange of ideas concerning cultural intersections happening within Latin American communities in the US.
Shortly after finishing her MFA at Tulane University in 2021, Carolina joined Bakehouse through the annual Summer Open program and worked on About Passion, which listed the multiple ways passion fruit is known or referred to by Spanish speakers. During her time in New Orleans, she had begun collecting ephemera, such as receipts and business cards, and documenting the signs from different stores in Midcity like Ideal, the Latin supermarket, as a way of alleviating her homesickness:
“During my last year in New Orleans, I only thought about returning to Perú. When that didn’t happen and I realized that I would stay in the US indefinitely, I tried to find myself by locating and reproducing the few places that reminded me of home. Upon moving to Miami, I found myself surrounded by the people and places I had been searching for. About Passion embodies the enthusiasm I felt being in a place where I fit in.”
Photo by Diana Espín.
Through her work, Carolina considers notions of migration, displacement, identity, and belonging, using her colorful and playful hand-painted murals as an opportunity to find commonalities through language, both written and visual.
About the Artist
Carolina Casusol (B. 1986, Lima, Perú) lives and works in Miami, Florida. She holds an MFA from Tulane University and a BFA from Corriente Alterna Art School in partnership with San Marcos University, she graduated with honors in 2011. Casusol received the Summer Merit Fellowship award from Tulane University, was a Nominated Candidate at the CIFO Grands & Commissions Program in 2017, and was selected as an artist resident for the Summer Art Program 2021 at the Bakehouse Art Complex (Miami, FL). In 2022, she was one of the Ellis Awards winners and received a Creator Award Grant from Oolite (Miami Beach, FL). Participating in the Home & Away program (Oolite 2022), she also had the opportunity to be an artist in residence at the Atlantic Center of the Arts (ACA). Casusol's work was selected for the first edition of the Immigrant Artist Biennial in NYC (2020) and has been exhibited widely across the US and Peru, including recent shows at Art Space 305 (Miami), Touché Boutique & Tunnel (Miami), and Atlanta Contemporary (Atlanta). Casusol is a permanent artist resident at Bakehouse Art Complex (2022-2024).
For more information about the artist and her work:
www.carolinacasusol.com / @carocass