Nicko Torres

Illustrator

Portfolio

Lacking in Depth

Depot Gallery & Book Store

December 7th - December 21st

reception: December 15th

STATEMENT

What initially intrigued me about art was its supposed impersonal nature, what I made was completely irrelevant, all that mattered was my perception of a job well done. Unfortunately, with my commitment to the arts also came the denouncement of my “simplistic” view of the craft, with demands of meaning and purpose to what I made. For a long time, this incessant pressure from others to justify what I do left me with a highly pungent tick of resentment, and while that scorn remains intact, I’ve come to an understanding. Evaluating the things I’ve made,
I see crumbs of something more, a crude foundation I struggle to describe yet should be able to recite because the deeper I go the more of me I see. In all honesty, I’ve always been aware of the faint narratives that make up my work, but with a seemingly ingrained disposition towards emotional reclusion, expressing my thoughts is what truly disheartens me.It’s funny because even my meaningless and endless repertoire of superhero drawings from my childhood had a purpose of creation other than my surface level amazement of these larger-than-life characters. Behind the flashy costumes and fantastical stories, the unadulterated selfless nature of these heroes is what I truly admired and inspired me like no other. Such hopeful connotations are what I strive for in my work. However, it usually falls under a blanket of neutrality, but once I delve into the reasonings behind my creative choices, most if not all derive from a dejected mindset. Whether it be my steadfast beliefs on what proper art is but have yet to achieve, less than savory behaviors, or long-neglected dreams that I still desire, all are explored through a series of black, white, and grey. Despite my limited materials of mere pencils and clay, I don’t see any reason to limit myself to one style. Surveying realism, abstraction, and the occasional cartoon illustration, each and every one will serve to dissect my character – a character I more often than not disapprove of.What I wish to tell through my work is nothing profound, at its core, it’s largely an admission to my humanity, but even such readily observable knowledge unnerves me in a way I can’t describe. In my mind, to illustrate one’s vulnerability is to express weakness or failure, so withholding that from others makes it as if it never existed in the first place, yet the thought of it remains ever-present. To be honest, I oppose those who are overt in their emotional expression, but I’ve done so to a point where even suggesting that I yearn for a long-forgotten childlike wonder feels explicitly personal. So, despite my ever-changing visuals that seem to have absolutely nothing to do with each other, there is a part of me in there – because though many say I’m lacking in depth, know that I’m trying my best.

BIO

Deriving from the primordial froth that is Reno, Nevada, Nicko Torres discovered his knack for the arts early on in life. Whether it was drawing superheroes, fabricating props for Halloween, or simply sewing a shirt to fit a little better, Nicko always took on these different mediums with a steady hand. Though not diligent with his practices throughout his adolescence, soon after his 2022 high school graduation, Nicko committed himself to Truckee Meadows Community College to pursue a degree in Fine Arts. With his first few opportunities to exhibit his work at the school, Nicko became keenly aware of the art he wished to make. He wanted to create art that explored an individual’s unhampered creativity, unburdened by its message or the expectations of those who view it; for the creator's completed vision is the sole determining factor of a successful piece regardless of what may lie beneath.

CV

Scholarships

2022-2024 Nevada Promise Scholarship
2023-2025 Federal Pell Grant
2024-2025 Lions Reno Host/Lyle Ball Memorial Scholarship
2024-2025 Tacket Family Scholarship
2024-2025 Legacy Scholarship

Contact Info