Pavel Acevedo
Pavel Acevedo
Biography
Pavel Acevedo, originally from Oaxaca, Mexico, is a contemporary relief printmaker whose work explores themes of migration, identity, and cultural hybridity. Moving to California in 2010, Acevedo has built a practice rooted in both his Oaxacan heritage and his lived experiences as an immigrant in the United States. His art reflects a dialogue that is neither strictly Mexican nor American, but instead a layered, contemporary reality shaped by crossing borders and adapting to new environments.
Working primarily in relief printmaking, Acevedo employs plywood and linoleum blocks to create powerful portraits and images that draw upon the pre-Hispanic codex as well as contemporary urban life. His subjects often include friends, community members, and symbolic figures that embody the diverse populations of California. By weaving together references to ancient visual traditions and modern narratives, he constructs imagery that speaks to continuity, resilience, and transformation within migrant experiences.
After relocating to California, he established himself within the artistic communities of Riverside and East Los Angeles. His studio, Urge Palette Art Supplies in Riverside, serves as both a workplace and a hub for creative engagement. His prints and murals can be found throughout the region, including significant displays at the Riverside Art Museum and in public spaces across the city.
Among his notable projects are his contributions to the Utopia/Dystopia portfolio, curated by artist Miyo Stevens-Gandara.
By Pavel Acevedo
Medium: Linocut
Year: 2019
Edition of 60
Image Size: 15 x 11 inches
Individual print: $250 / Pair of prints: $400
In Utopia, Pavel Acevedo portrays a contemplative woman gazing upward, surrounded by flowers, radiant lines, and richly patterned clothing. The carefully carved black-and-white composition combines portraiture with decorative and symbolic imagery, creating a vision that feels hopeful, reflective, and deeply personal.
This original relief print was created for the 2019 Utopia/Dystopia portfolio, curated by artist Miyo Stevens-Gandara and produced at Self Help Graphics & Art in Los Angeles. The portfolio brought together 26 artists to explore contrasting visions of hope and uncertainty.