Born April 27, 1978, in Denver Colorado to Mexican nationals, Javier Flores is the eldest of 3 kids. Raised in a blue collar, household helped to instill a strong work ethic, and integrity. At nineteen Javier was shot and paralyzed. Initially in shock and depression he became suicidal for a time, thankfully saved by family, friends, the visual arts and martial arts.

Flores received his Bachelor of Fine Art from Metropolitan State University of Denver, 2008, and Master of Fine Art from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, 2017. He works as Art Lead at Front Range Community College, Westminster, Colorado. 

Artist Statement

As an artist, I choose to associate with the idea of Lenguaje Vulgar, or vulgar language, a reference to cussing in Spanish. The implication of swearing or cussing in accordance with art, is a therapeutic tool which allows me to express frustration yet perseverance. The connection of imagery to language is the visual lexicon I continue to explore describing the daily hindrance of my disability among other issues. As a visual artist, it is important for me to pursue a variety of mediums to best translate the biographical narrative approach to image and form making.  By re-contextualizing symbols, I engage the viewer to a larger dialogue in which they must access their own personal context and upbringing in relation to the art and their association to the image to inform their interpretation.