Johnny Castillo (b. 1995) is a Los Angeles based contemporary painter who investigates his placement in America as a first-generation Guatemalan immigrant. By deconstructing his emotional and psychological experiences, Castillo explores the idea of displacement and inhabiting an in-between world-a place where one never seems to have access to their home country or the American dream.

Castillo was born in Guatemala and was brought to Los Angeles, California at the age of 5. He has experienced the American culture for 22 years now. Unable to visit his home country due to his legal status, Castillo fights to remember what he feels like are now faint memories of a Guatemalan home he once inhabited.

Having obtained an Associate’s Degree in Studio Arts from Santa Monica College, Castillo is currently studying Drawing and Painting at The Long Beach School of Art.