SeaCHANGE CONFERENCE

Reshaping Tomorrow through Creativity & Community

Gordon Arzú

Gordon Santiago Arzú Durón

My name is Gordon Santiago Arzú Durón. I was born in Honduras, Central America, a country rich in culture, natural beauty and spirituality. It is also a country and a people who have faced and continue to face many challenges due primarily to a corrupt government, lack of safety and the exploitation of natural resources. In spite of all these factors, the people of Honduras are warm, welcoming and hopeful.

It was in a small neighborhood of Honduras where I discovered my love for drawing and painting at a young age inspired by a childhood friend who was an incredible artist. The way he drew faces and animals, sparked my creativity and passion for the visual arts. I began by drawing characters from my favorite cartoons. I also created my own toys from wood and other materials I would find in my neighborhood. At that time, studying art was not in my plans; my parents did not have the means to pay for art school. My love and passion for creating art never stopped but I took a break from it to study and work. At the age of twenty-three, I immigrated to the United States and later studied art at Three Rivers Community College in Norwich, Connecticut. In 2014, I received my associates degree in fine arts. Since that time, I have continued creating art and developing my artistic style. My passion for painting and drawing has only grown stronger over the years and I am constantly seeking new ways to push the range of my creativity. My preferred medium is acrylics on canvas or on a wood panel; I also enjoy drawing with charcoal and pastels.

Through my art, I strive to evoke emotions and provoke thought in those who view it. Each one of my pieces is a reflection of my innermost thoughts and feelings, a testament to the power of self-expression.