Shamanism, Peruvian Heritage, and Sexual Identity are primary driving forces in my artwork. My research offers a bridge into the physical, emotional, and spiritual scarring caused by global intolerance towards the LGBTQIA+ community and oppression embedded by patriarchal power. As a maturing Artist, I feel ones’ talent, voice and experience as a large responsibility, and through my artwork I strive to express positivity while refusing to keep any part of my identity closeted. My work is a collection of resurfaced history and experiences transformed physically by intentionally subverting hyper-masculine materials into knots. My objective is to deconstruct individual knotted cords that make up the fabric of my identity and reconstruct them into a space. The resulting space offers a visceral experience for the audience that aesthetically explores the body’s transformation as it heals. This healing ritual and gender performativity through reflection; knotting, tearing, and pouring helps me reflect, ingest, let go and heal. The work that I offer are the scars I have collected and embraced. The residue of the final pieces takes place within that reflective, transitional process at the intersection of the body and temporality that I occupy as a Queer, Latinx Artist of color.

Roberto Rafael Navarrete, born in Queens, New York, was raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Navarrete and his four siblings are first generation Peruvian Americans and they are third generation hardwood floor men. Working with many species of trees has been a huge influence on Navarrete's work as this introduced his appreciation for knots. He graduated from Georgia State University in 2011 where he received his Bachelors in Fine Arts with a focus in Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking. His work has been included in several national and international exhibitions. Navarrete currently lives in South Florida where he received his Masters in Fine Arts (2018) at Florida Atlantic University with a focus in Painting, Photography and Mixed Media Installations.