VUE

L From a humble childhood in Communist Cuba to becoming one of America's most sought-after pop artists, Nelson De La Nuez is one of art's biggest living icons. OS ANGELES-BASED POP ARTIST Nelson De La Nuez masters the language of wealth, power and fame through an immensely intellectual yet comical body of work. rough references to advertising and pop culture, his mixed-media art comments on the state of our society in a way that's equal parts satire and aspiration. Since he began his career in the '80s, his work has been sought aer by celebrity admirers and art collectors alike. His installations grace the walls of Hollywood elites such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Howie Man- del and Kim Kardashian. What's most interesting about De La Nuez though, isn't his long list of high-profile clientele; it's his own life's journey—one which is just as irresistible as the art he creates. De La Nuez was born in Havana, Cuba in 1959 at a time when political tensions were high. In 1966, his family was granted a leave and De La Nuez and his parents flew into sunny Southern California to start a new life. His childhood on the West Coast gave him a unique perspective on images of pop culture. As he grew up, he learned to be both critical of and embrace it, which subsequently led to a budding career as a pop artist. De La Nuez pulled inspiration from everywhere: board games, newspapers, vintage ads—anything. Aer selling artwork to the late Michael Jackson just before his passing, various print media, newspapers, as well as TMZ and other media outlets dubbed him "e King of Pop Art"—a name which stuck with him to the present day. Today, De La Nuez's work makes appearances at the likes of Art Basel Miami and Art Market Hamptons. His branded home, lifestyle and fashion projects are sold in Nordstrom, Saks Fih Avenue and Neiman Marcus. But when it comes to artistic creation, everything remains a reflection of himself and his perspective of pop culture— one with a deep understanding of his clientele's psyche. As times change, so does the artist's sources from which he borrows. A modern iconoclast, De La Nuez reminds us that art can have a deeper meaning yet still allows us to laugh at ourselves and our cultural habits. In this world, everything is for sale—except for the artist's passion which in many ways, remains the same today as it did when he began decades ago. V U E N J . C O M 87

• Cover