Jainson Cedillo (b. 2002) is an Ecuadorian American artist, born in Queens, NY, raised for part of his life in Passaic, NJ, and currently based in Baltimore, MD. He developed a love for drawing using graphite pencils—his most accessible medium growing up—and has since expanded his practice to include acrylic and oil painting, printmaking, and woodworking. Later in life, Jainson began exploring and embracing his identities as both Ecuadorian and gay, a process that required deep introspection after feeling lost for much of his youth. Today, he is an artist who has found himself—loud and proud.

Jainson’s body of work weaves together his Hispanic heritage and queerness, blending expressive figures, vibrant colors, and personal narratives. Through his drawings, he explores these intersecting identities using bold symbolism, rich patterning, and emotional figuration. His goal is to normalize and celebrate the experience of being both queer and Hispanic, offering viewers a glimpse into the ways these identities shape his life. His work ranges from joyful and celebratory to deeply reflective, often addressing present-day challenges.

Portraiture remains central to his work—whether through self-portraits or representations of influential figures in his life. He integrates line and shape into abstract, patterned backgrounds, creating a unique and symbolic approach to portraiture that reflects his subjects’ identities and lived experiences.