Art
How the art world adopted Glasgow 'Slum Boy' Juano Diaz – BBC.com
Pauline McLean@BBCPolliemac
![Juano Diaz Grace Jones](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9d1f/live/c506a7f0-d292-11ee-b83b-0f87a864f372.jpg.webp)
Juano Diaz has spent the past two decades establishing his name in the worlds of fashion, art and music.
He’s collaborated with a number of designers and artists, including Gilbert and George, Pierre et Giles, and David La Chappelle.
His own work combines digital images and painting and has featured Madonna, Grace Jones and Pharrell Williams.
But it’s a world away from the one he grew up in, as he explains in his memoir Slum Boy.
Born in Glasgow in 1977, he never knew his father beyond the name on his birth certificate.
His mother was an addict, who frequently abandoned him and he was taken into care at the age of four.
![Juano Diaz Juano with painting](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/870d/live/bccc5200-d28e-11ee-8f28-259790e80bba.jpg.webp)
What was the children’s home is now a private house, but the owners agree to let John/Juano look inside for the first time in more than 40 years.
“It looks so small now, but I suppose I was so much smaller,” he says.
A huge stained glass window dominates the staircase, with figures representing art and industry.
“That room there was my bedroom. I must have passed it every day and I don’t remember it.”
“It’s a lot to take in. A lot of dark things happened here, but some nice things too, and of course this was where I was adopted. That changed everything.”
![Juano Diaz](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/86d2/live/4e3452e0-d2f0-11ee-b83b-0f87a864f372.jpg.webp)
John’s new family were from the Romany Gypsy tradition. His grandmother claimed a direct connection to Charles Faa Blythe, the last king of the Gypsies in Scotland.
“My grandmother was a fantastic storyteller and I try to bring a wee bit of that into my art. I’m proud of the people.
“They took me into their home and they loved me like one of their own people and there was no judgement, no separation. I had the most gorgeous childhood.”
![Juano Diaz Young Juano at Glenrosa](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2cd4/live/4f7efcf0-d290-11ee-b83b-0f87a864f372.jpg.webp)
But the happiness was shattered by the death of his adoptive mother in a car accident.
As a young, mixed race, gay man, he struggled with his identity. Glasgow’s Kelvingrove art gallery offered a haven and a source of inspiration.
There were two paintings in particular. Christ of St John of the Cross by Salvador Dali and A Highland Funeral by Sir James Guthrie.
“I could see my father in that picture, turning his hat in his hands at my mother’s funeral,” he says.
“But most of the time, I’d just sit in an alcove making portraits.
“I knew I wanted to be an artist from when I was a wee boy.
“I think being an adopted person, portraiture became really important to me because I wanted to hang onto people’s faces I’d been separated from.
“So I’d just draw faces over and over and over again.”
![Juano Diaz Juano Diaz](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/95a5/live/e2a31940-d28f-11ee-9a5b-e35447f6c53b.jpg.webp)
Attempts to get into art school failed, so he moved to Paris where he modelled for the French art duo Pierre et Giles and the late Thierry Mugler.
It was there he reclaimed his name from his South African father.
“When I started to work with Pierre et Giles, people would say what should we call you?
“That’s when I said I’m Juano. That’s the name on my birth certificate, it was only changed through adoption so I reclaimed it. “
He began to make his own art, which draws on his diverse heritage. A selection of the pieces layer paint on digital images of real people.
It has been exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art and the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art in New York. And on at least one occasion, the subject has asked to buy the work.
“I got a phone call from the son of Grace Jones who had seen my work on a website and called to ask if it was for sale. I said it was, and he asked if I could bring it to London that day. So that evening, I found myself in Grace Jones’s dressing room at the end of her show.”
![Juano Diaz Madonna painting](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/2892/live/ece4d7f0-d293-11ee-b83b-0f87a864f372.jpg.webp)
Grace not only bought the work, she’s become a family friend.
“I took my son to meet her last year with my partner. We hadn’t had a chance because of the pandemic. She absolutely loved him. When we were leaving, she said, tell everyone I’m your art godmother. It was such a surreal moment. “
Juano says he began writing his memoir a decade ago but didn’t plan to publish it.
“It was more of a cathartic thing. And it was emotional because I was looking through 200 pages of social work records, everything down to the food I’d eaten. I’d no intention of writing a book but it happened.”
Andrew O’Hagan read an early draft and sent it off to a publisher. He originally intended to call it Lucky Boy but it’s been retitled Slum Boy.
![Juano Diaz Juano and Grace](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1286/live/5dd42100-d294-11ee-9a5b-e35447f6c53b.jpg.webp)
“I was being ironic but I have had a really lucky life. It could have been so different if I hadn’t been adopted. I don’t even know if I would have been here.”
“When they suggested Slum Boy I said no, we can’t call it that. That’s completely derogatory and then I sat with it and realised it works.
“The publisher said look, if anyone can wear that title, it’s you. What were your conditions as a child, living with your mother. I said it was a slum.
“There was no glass in my bedroom window. It was cold, it was damp, it was a slum.”
He says he’s tried to tell his story through art – but always failed.
“It just seemed too dark and I don’t like dark art. I like to celebrate things that are magical and bright and colourful.”
But writing the book has encouraged him to explore his own story. He is currently working on a series of paintings based on documentary maker Nick Hedges’ photographs.
But he says he’s glad to end each day with his partner and son in a warm and happy home.
Slum Boy: A Portrait is published by Brazen Press on Thursday 29 February.
Art
Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed
The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Art
Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone
![](https://canadanewsmedia.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Northern-Arts-Festival-2024-scrolling-banner-with-sponsors-for-website.jpg)
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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