Flamin’ Hot!
Justin Favela
Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
Growing up I always thought Flamin' Hot Cheetos were marketed toward Latinos. The fiery, tingly tang of the snack reminded me of the spicy chili flavor of elote, the grilled corn sold by street vendors across Latino neighborhoods. That's why I was excited to learn of the flavor's origins. It wasn't created by food scientists in lab coats, but by a Mexican American janitor at the California Frito-Lay plant. Now the flavor is ubiquitous across the Frito-Lay brand and is one of the company's top sellers. But for Latinos, it represents something more — a piece of our culture. I like to celebrate my culture in my work, and I always thought that food was a good way to share your culture. What better way to share my culture than through an exploration of Flamin' Hot Flavors!
Justin Favela is a Las Vegas native working in the mediums of painting, sculpture, and performance. His work draws from art history, popular culture and his Guatemalan/Mexican heritage. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Arts from UNLV and has participated in exhibitions across the United States. Las Vegas venues include the Contemporary Arts Center, Trifecta Gallery and The Clark County Government Center. Favela has curated many shows throughout southern Nevada, at spaces such as UNLV’s Marjorie Barrick Museum to El Porvenir Mini-Market in North Las Vegas. Recent exhibitions of note include the group exhibition Tilting the Basin: Contemporary Art of Nevada at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno; Con Cariño: Artists Inspired by Lowriders, at the New Mexico Museum of Art and is currently in the Denver Art Museum’s exhibition, Mi Tierra: Contemporary Artists Explore Place, featuring site-specific installations by 13 Latino artists that express experiences of contemporary life in the American West. When not in the studio, Favela is probably watching tv or co-hosting his podcast Latinos Who Lunch.