Calo Rosa
Tell us about you and your work.
Born and raised in El Salvador, I’ve lived and worked in Philadelphia since 2012. I come from a family of artists in diverse media, including graphic design, oil painting, and cake-making. I studied fine arts and design in San Salvador. Then I started to explore street art to combine my country's historical memory with everyday moments and people in the urban-tropical environment. I would paint a portrait of the girl selling chiles in the market where she worked.
Living away, my artwork is focused on how the tropics have influenced my individual and our collective identities and how “home” follows us immigrants —wherever we go. El Tropico lo llevamos Adentro. I create concepts that can be applied in multiple media: public art, murals, digital illustrations, drawings, paintings, and tattoos.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by Nature and our historical connections with her and the art created through this connection—from anthropological studies to archived photos. For me, traveling to new places, meeting people, and sharing stories is a big source of inspiration.
What does community mean to you?
Community to me means people listening to each other and taking care of their environment collectively.
Favorite film
“The Mission” Directed by Roland Joffé with music by Ennio Morricone. It portrays one of the most intense episodes in the history of the continent for native communities. The production quality and soundtrack impressed me from the first time my dad showed it to me.
Favorite song
It is so hard to choose one song, but at this moment, I would choose “Leaozinho” by Caetano Veloso and dedicate it to my son Luca.
Favorite place
El Salvador’s pacific coast. I feel privileged to have grown up in such a beautiful place.
