ARTIST STATEMENT
Sunny Alonzo’s work is based in finding their own voice in their many identities while simultaneously helping others find theirs in a world full of secrecy and taboo. Alonzo has always felt the need to be seen and heard ever since their early years. They have constantly seeked emotional gratification and mutual understanding in the feelings and events that had taken a toll on their mind. While never being able to find themselves in television, peers, or the world of art, they began to unapologetically tell their own stories and truths.
In hopes of providing that comfort to others who haven’t been able to have their truths be told, Sunny Alonzo gravitated to taking people’s portraits in order to shift the perspective on how other people see themselves. It wasn’t until the start of their undergraduate career that they began making work they truly felt a connection to. Their work now revolves around identity. What it means to be a Guatemalan and Italian mixed child of divorce, and to fall to those legacies and generational traumas. What it means to be queer and gender non conforming, while forever having a tie to girlhood. What it means to be a survivor of rape and abuse, and navigating it alone. What it means to love so hard until you shatter. Sunny’s current work on view, tackles a lack or loss of love. How do you fall for your best friend, knowing you have to let them go?
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Sunny Alonzo (b. 2003) is a New York based artist currently working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Photography and Media with a minor in Creative Writing at California Institute of the Arts. They have used different media such as photographs, writings, and videos to broaden how they share their use of storytelling. As well as playing with different sizings and presentation methods. Sunny Alonzo is currently showing their tenth exhibition at California Institute of the Arts, as well as being featured in a number of institute wide showings. They have also had their photographs featured in exhibits at :iidrr gallery in New York City’s Lower East Side, as well as twice on Las Laguna Art Gallery’s website. Alonzo’s work at its core, is about love, loss, identity, and goodbyes.
© Sunny Alonzo