Jason Guzman is a first generation Mexican American from Chicago, IL. He is a self-taught artist who began his career in visual art in 2023. His work focuses on the history of Mexican craft and he specializes in the Mexican folk art of Papel Picado, a paper cutting technique from Mexico.
In 2022, He was inspired to begin practicing Papel Picado after watching an interview with Mexican folk artist Catalina Delgado-Trunk who specializes in Papel Picado. During the interview she explained the powerful history of papermaking in Mexico as well as the indigenous folklore and mythology that she depicts in her pieces. Later in the interview she explained that the next generation of Papel Picado artists are keeping this tradition alive by using laser cutting machines.
Papel Picado today is hardly considered an established art form. It used purely for decoration or novelties to be packaged, bought, and disposed of. As a result there are sparse resources, archival materials, or documentation to learn from. Often learning as he went, it took one year of research and development before Jason was ready to debut his work. This project required him to figure out the style of Papel Picado, how to use and calibrate a laser machine, as well as how to design artwork in graphic design software; all learned from scratch.
In 2023 Jason applied for particpated in an open call by Open Center for the Arts in Little Village, Chicago for an exhibition called Mi Neighborhood. He also participated in a vendor market in Pilsen, Chicago called Hecho En Festival hosted by Pilsen Arts & Community House. Thus beginning his Papel Picado journey.
Exhibited Works:
2023
Mi Neighborhood at Open Center for the Arts
June 28th – Sept 4th
El Olivo, 2023, 16″x20″
The first exhibition displaying Jasons’ Papel Picado. An early piece designed with the inclusion of tissue paper layered onto the cardstock.
The Everyday at Fulton Street Collective
July 2nd – July 29th
Raymonds Tacos #2, 2023, 16″x20″
The principle Chicago portrait that lead to forming the continued and celebrated series En Xicago
Open House at Salam Studio
Aug 18th – Sept 18th
Honoring Our Cultura at Pilsen Pop-Up hosted by Madeinchitownwithlove
July 28th – Aug 19th
EcoArt at The Mosaic School hosted by Eco Logic
Sept 1st – Sept 30th
La Naturaleza, 2023, 16″x20″
A custom piece with original spirits inspired Otomi culture and religion. Completely made of handmade and recycled paper.
Art Installation at Navy Pier hosted by Slow and Low Festival
Oct 21st
10th Annual Beautiful Souls Coffin Show at Pilsen Arts & Community House
Oct 13th – Nov 5th
Tomo Uno, 2023
A one-of-akind piece that enapsulated the mission of Guzman Studio. Including papel Picado, woodworking, painting, and paper mache, and the first instance of Mini Banners
Día de los Muertos Xicágo at The National Museum of Mexican Art
Oct 28th
2024
Black & White at Parlour and Ramp hosted by OMWP Studios
Jan 19th – Jan 21st
Love at West Town Chamber of Commerce hosted by Chicago Fine Art Salon
Feb 2nd – Feb 29th
This Life Aint for Everyone at Pilsen Arts & Community House hosted by Slow and Low Lowrider Festival
Feb 2nd – Feb 11th
Matters of the Heart at Vibrant Cast
Feb 9th – Mar 1st
Bike Winter Art Show at Agitator Gallery
Feb 23rd – Mar 16th
Vibrant Chicago ll at Vibrant Cast
Apr 5th – Apr 27th
Verde Variants at Union Street Gallery
Apr 25th – May 18th
Love, Land & Deception at Chicago Art Dept. by NE2 Gallery
June 14th – July 26th
Reality Reimagined – Annual Abstract Show by Art Space Chicago
Aug 2nd – Aug 30th
Bird Show 2024 by Bird Show Chicago
Aug 12th – Aug 26th
Sagrado: Indigenous Nature Spirits at Cafe Jumping Bean by Guzman Studio
Aug 29th – Oct 10th
Pop-Up at Cafe Jumping Bean
First major solo project for Guzman Studio. Included 15 pieces of handmade paper and an exclusive Jumping Bean print
El Barrio at Southside Social by Ruidosa Art Collective
Sept 13th
Empujar y Tirar, 2023
This piece celebrated foundation, direction, balance, and the building of a home.
En Xicago at Angmir Boutique by Guzman Studio
Oct 20th
Little Village Arts Festival at Open Center for the Arts by Villarte
November 2-3
2025
Works on Paper presented by Paper Circle
April 1st – June 1st
Dios de Arbol, 2025
An original piece designed by Jason Guzman intepreting Otomi culture. Completely handmade and recycled paper
Tactile Terrain at Jackson Junge Gallery
May 16th – Jun2 29th
Dios de Arbol, 2025
An original piece designed by Jason Guzman intepreting Otomi culture. Completely handmade and recycled paper
We Built This present by Oh Arts Foundation at Zhou B Art Center
July 18th – September 14th
Tamales Uruapan, 2025
Part of the En Xicago series. Participation in this exhibtion was focused in migration and overlooked cultural arts
En Xicago: Bienvenidos a Mi Barrio present by Guzman Studio at Pizza Tango
September 28th