Jhonattan Arango (anón) was born in Cuba, to a life suffused with music, literature, visual and performing arts. A few years after arriving to the United States he joined the Navy as a medical professional and, through caring for others, awakened a strong desire to be of service. The military service helped him develop a keen appreciation for community as an entity and conduit for a happy, healthy life. Never faring too far from the arts, Jhonattan pursued a BFA in Graphic Design which assists his creative process, but his voice would really take form after a silent 10 day meditation course —an experience that would kindle a strong desire to explore and expound the fact of interdependence through the arts.
Telling stories is a main component to his work, and he uses the most basic shape —the triangle— to tell them. In contrast, the name anón is foremost a representation of our interconnection to all things, small and large. This idea of non-separation is communicated through the simplicity of the triangle, as with this shape all shapes are achievable —all forms can bring forth their life. By utilizing triangles to create three-dimensional shapes, the viewer is invited inwards to question and interpret their own makeup.
Anón currently works in two formats using triangles: paper, and a signature mural style, including a community mural format in which people work together to create large-scale works. When working with paper, anón painstakingly cuts out textured cardstock triangles by hand to create dynamic compositions. Inspired by things old and new, he works with portraiture and organic shapes found in nature, all relying on size, angles, and color to convey three-dimensionality.
Anón lives in West Palm Beach, Florida, pursuing a life of art-making with his wife and partner Samantha and their son Sagan.