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Pinoy ex-construction worker becomes well-respected artist

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Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7h8qIHMXvCQ" width="560"></iframe></figure>LAS VEGAS, Nevada - When he first came to America, Gig Depio used to mix gravel and sand working as a construction worker. Now, far from the construction world, he is still mixing, but this time mixing with colors that express his unique voice through painting.“Medyo mahirap kasi nung bagong dating ako dito, medyo nire-reject yung pagsali ko sa kahit anong grupo, not a racial issue but an outsider issue, meaning I’m not originally from here, I didn’t go to school here, hindi ako nakapagtrabaho dito nung bata pa ako,” he said. Depio almost gave up painting and had to work in one of the hotels and casinos to make ends meet. “Naghahanap sana ko ng work sa casinos but I talked to my wife and she said, let’s give it 2 years as a full-time artist. I don’t do anything else, magpipinta lang ako and I think that was a huge risk sa amin,” he said. In the arts district of downtown Las Vegas, a piece of Depio&#x27;s work is showcased at an exhibition titled “Tilting the Basin” that features contemporary art by Nevada artists.“For me, yung authentic I like making my art through my work and it has to have authentic response to the community,” he said. His 6-by-8-foot wide painting depicts his life struggle of being an immigrant. “Gig is my favorite on the show because this has a socio-political commentary but he does it in a non-threatening way. There’s almost like a cartoon-like quality to his work which makes it approachable,” said Amanda Horn of the Nevada Museum of Art. Depio&#x27;s work was tagged as one of the best and strongest works in the state. Meanwhile, his painting of a picture of President Donald Trump that depicts Mexican immigrants as villains is creating a stir.Depio painted it in 2015, and says it was like a premonition of what was to come if Trump became president. It’s now displayed in Serona Fine Art Gallery in Miami, Florida. From being a construction worker to becoming one of the most illustrious notable artists in the silver state, Depio has come a long way. This year, Depio bagged the Nevada Arts Council Fellowship Award, the highest award bestowed by the State of Nevada in the field of arts. <div><a href="http://www.balitangamerica.tv/" target="_blank">Read more on Balitang America:</a></div>

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - When he first came to America, Gig Depio used to mix gravel and sand working as a construction worker.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - When he first came to America, Gig Depio used to mix gravel and sand working as a construction worker.

Pinoy ex-construction worker becomes well-respected artist

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Pinoy ex-construction worker becomes well-respected artist

Bev Llorente,

ABS-CBN North America News Bureau

Published May 30, 2017 07:57 PM PHT

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nevada

construction worker

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