Leading up to this year's Big Brain Awards, we're checking in with past winners. Up today: Joseph "Sentrock" Perez.
Joseph "Sentrock" Perez may have moved to Chicago since winning a Big Brain Award in 2011, but the artist's presence in Phoenix hasn't waned. He returned to town for "Generations: Inspiration of Bird City," a group show at Willo North that featured work of his alongside that of Martin Moreno and Luis Gutierrez. And he has plans for another show in his hometown: a must-see exhibition at Palabra in May.
But that's not all he has in the works.
See also: Announcing the 2014 Big Brain Finalists
What have you been up to since winning a Big Brain Award? So, it's a been a couple years since I won that award, which was amazing!!!!
Since then, I have grown into a local celebrity and gained the courage to share my art with more and more amazing people.
I currently live in the city of Chicago, where my Big Brains plaque hangs proudly in my studio! I have since been making murals, gallery shows, designing art for celebrities, athletes, and everyday people that need visual encouragement. I released a shoe with Bucketfeet and I'm currently working with Adidas on creating something new. At the current moment, I have become somewhat reclusive and try to focus on making art, in the end that's all that matters to me, as far as achievements for my career. On a personal note, I'm getting married in June (thanks to the award, I believe), and everyone is invited!
What's your next big project? My next big project is still under works -- trying to do some brainstorming. I have a few ideas, but I really and striving for a gigantic installation and renting out the Phoenix Art Museum (in the works).
As for now, I'm on a constant pursuit of adding to my visual narrative that consists of 50 plus pieces that all correlate with each other. Hoping to bring that to Phoenix.
Where do you see Phoenix a year from now? I see Phoenix being pretty awesome. I been blessed with this bird eye view (no pun intended) to see all my friends doing great things in the city. I see such an improvement of support as a whole. I can't wait to see the foundations develop even more. I hope to see the galleries there thrive!
Where do you see yourself a year from now? For me, in a year, I have no idea. Who knows where I'll be. I know I'll be married to a amazing women who is currently in her last semester of getting her teaching degree. I hope to start getting back into community art projects and traveling much more.
