Esteban Garcia Bravo Creates Space for Community Through Art

For the past decade, Esteban Garcia Bravo has been immersed in the work of creating public art projects in cities across the United States. His art is interactive and collaborative; a way of expressing something meaningful in every environment.

One of the recent projects he led was the creation of a giant freshwater mussel sculpture, which is currently located in Tapawingo Park in the city of West Lafayette. The piece was created as a result of thoughtful engagement with the community, many of whom are deeply concerned about the health of the river.

"Mussels are indicators of river health," says Garcia Bravo, assistant professor of digital media art at SJSU. "The piece sits on the banks of the river. And we worked for a couple years with the community to shape it."

Growing up in Bogotá, Colombia, Garcia Bravo has always felt an affinity for the community-based mindset that he feels his culture embodies.

"In Latin America, we use public space in a different way. Our cities are designed for people, not for cars. And every town has its own plaza, which is the most active place," says Garcia Bravo. "I think that idea of talking to people in the street - you're talking to your neighbor and then a stranger comes along and joins the conversation - you have this improvised type of communication. And so your life just naturally revolves around helping others."

That sense of connection is something that he infuses into his art-making process. And it's something that informs not only his creations but the way that he approaches his life.

When he started working at SJSU in 2024, he learned that the Chicanx/Latinx Success Center (Centro) hadn't refreshed the art on its walls since before the pandemic. He immediately offered to lead the project of finding new art for the center.

"I started identifying students that could be good for planning this with me," says Garcia Bravo. "I let the process mature in its own way, because I really wanted it to be student-led."

The planning group came up with the theme "Our American Dream" to showcase a reflection of the diversity, dreams and experiences of SJSU students.

"When putting out a call for artists, one of the things that was really important to us was making sure that everyone felt included," says Garcia Bravo. "So the call wasn't just for Latinx students. We wanted to be inclusive of everyone."

In total, 14 pieces of artwork were selected from a total of 12 students.

"Every piece has its own story," says Garcia Bravo.

Also included are two pieces from renowned contemporary visual artist Juan Pablo Echeverri , who passed away in 2022. Garcia Bravo knew Echeverri when they were both art students in Bogotá. Coincidentally, one of Garcia Bravo's SJSU colleagues, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Jessica Castillo Vardaro, is Echeverri's relative and was happy to allow the center to display his work posthumously.

Along with leading the Centro project, Garcia Bravo has also been serving as a mentor of the center. He has office hours there to meet with students once a week.

"I want my expertise to be useful. I want to help the university with what I know," says Garcia Bravo. "I want to bring those experiences of community-building through art - I think that motivates me."

The art reception is happening this Wednesday, September 23, at Centro, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. The entire community is welcome to attend.

Garcia Bravo's artwork was installed in several public spaces as part of SJ26, a public art initiative led by the City of San José alongside several partners. Read more about his work in the spring issue of SJSU Magazine.