We’re looking forward to introducing you to Monica Curiel. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Monica, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Yes. In both my personal life and my work, time has a way of revealing what’s essential. There have been moments when I felt an urgency to respond immediately—whether to feedback, opportunity, or even conflict; but waiting has allowed me to approach decisions with clarity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Monica Curiel, a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Denver. My work is rooted in my upbringing as a first-generation Mexican American, raised in Texas by parents who immigrated from Mexico. I was introduced to my materials while working alongside my father on construction sites, learning to work with plaster, spackling paste, and other construction materials that now carry a personal and cultural resonance. My practice exists between fine art and design, encompassing relief paintings, sculpture, furniture, and lighting. I’m interested in how material, memory, and cultural identity intersect—and how those intersections can shape both my own story and the communities I’m part of.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In my freshman year of college, I was diagnosed with cancer. That experience left me questioning everything I thought I knew about myself and my place in the world. I felt untethered, unsure of my purpose—yet at the same time, it ignited a courage and an unshakable curiosity in me. I began to see life as a quest to understand why I’m here, what I’m meant to contribute, and how I can shape the cultural landscape I’m part of and the communities that comprise it.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
Recently, I’ve shifted my thinking about difference—how we live in it, how we see ourselves within it, and how we exercise individuality. In the past, I felt a need to influence or change those differences, to bring them closer to something I understood. Now, I’m learning to embrace them, along with the things I cannot control. That acceptance has opened more space for connection, in my work and in my life.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One truth I don’t often say out loud is that purpose isn’t a final destination or something you just find. It’s something that grows and changes over time, even when things feel uncertain or uncomfortable. Purpose shows up when I’m willing to face my fears, contradictions, and hopes. I’ve learned it’s not about having all the answers, but about living with the questions and letting them guide me. That kind of openness can feel scary, but it’s the foundation of everything I make and how I connect with others. Moving slowly through this process is hard, but it also brings a lot of unexpected beauty.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
I would regret not using my practice to honor the labor and cultural histories that have shaped me. My parents and many members of my community have contributed enormously to building and shaping our landscape, yet their work often goes unrecognized. My goal is to bring those stories to the forefront—not as nostalgia, but as a meaningful acknowledgment of their value and impact. If I didn’t continue this work, I’d feel like I had missed the deeper purpose behind why I create.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://monicacuriel.art/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monicacuriel.art/
Image Credits
Image credit can be found in the title of the images.
Photographs are taken by Jimena Peck, Paul Miller, Ryan McDonald.
Amanda Villarosa and Jonathan Anders Hökkloto
