Headlands Center for the Arts

Artist Statement

Javier Roberto Carlos (b. Guatemala 1981) is an interdisciplinary artist whose work explores the socio-political fabric of Latin America, the impact of settler colonialism on U.S. landscapes, and the imprint of late capitalism within the backdrop of the Anthropocene era. Inspired by the sublimity of landscape, Javier crafts documentaries and video installations that serve as complex and layered explorations of history, memory, and subjectivity. His cinematic lens delves into the spaces, places, and pivotal moments where social, political, and cultural structures shape visible and tangible realities. Grounded in the ethos of bearing witness, his artistic practice uncovers the overlooked, offering compelling narratives employing a view that is both restrained, yet intimate.

In addition to his moving image work, Javier’s artistic repertoire expands to sculptural work, where he challenges the perceived value of art as a commodity for the affluent. His latest neon sculpture bears the provocative message “Art is a Scam,” combining a tongue-in-cheek approach with a thought-provoking artistic expression that invites critical reflection on the intersections of wealth and art.

Selected Works

Terrenos Fuera Y Dentro, 2024- 3-channel video installation (35-minutes)

A Move to Innocence (Part I), 2023 – Part 1 of a four 2-channel video installations (12 minutes)

Shhhh!, 2022 – Neon, plastic, electrical wiring.

Javier Roberto Carlos, Yo Soy Fidel Sample (In Post-Production, 2016–21; Multi-Channel Installation, Color HD (EST. 40 min)

Javier Roberto Carlos, The Earth Did Not Speak Sample, 2016; Documentary, Color HD (31 min)