Draft:Castro Frank
| Submission declined on 25 June 2025 by Rambley (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia.
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Comment: It does not seem like they meet WP:NARTIST, the SNG criteria for visual artists' notability. Netherzone (talk) 01:48, 25 June 2025 (UTC)
Castro Frank | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frank Castro August 28, 1983 East Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Photography, painting, mixed media |
| Notable work | The Black Wall Project, Ethereal, 1992 |
| Website | castrofrank.com[1] |
Castro Frank (born Frank Castro, August 1983) is a self-taught American artist and photographer based in Los Angeles, California. Rooted in his upbringing in the San Fernando Valley, his work blends photography, painting, and mixed media to explore themes of identity, memory, and everyday urban life. His work has been widely exhibited across California, featured in television productions, and according to his artist CV, his work is included in private collections such as that of Eugenio López Alonso, founder of Museo Jumex.[2]
Biography
[edit]Castro Frank was born in East Los Angeles in August 1983 to Mexican parents and was raised by his Puerto Rican stepfather in the San Fernando Valley.[3] Growing up in a gang-influenced environment, he was shaped by the culture of breakdancing and graffiti.[4] His early exposure to graffiti laid the foundation for a creative journey rooted in resilience and self-expression.[5] At age 18, after being arrested for graffiti, a police officer discovered a disposable camera in his bag—a moment that introduced him to the concept of photography.[6] He later began working at a photo lab, where he developed both his technical skills and artistic voice.[7] His work has been exhibited at Los Angeles City Hall, Superchief Gallery, and Eastern Projects, among other galleries.[8] Themes of cultural memory, displacement, and the poetry of everyday life are central to his practice, which often amplifies underrepresented voices in Los Angeles.[9] In 2023, he was honored by the City of Los Angeles during Hispanic Heritage Month for his exhibition Unsung Heroes.[10]His work has also appeared in public art installations,[11] television set design,[12] and private collections.[13] His story and work have been featured in The Huffington Post, Los Angeles Times, and Los Angeles Daily News.[14][15]
Career
[edit]Castro is known for merging photography with painting and street-influenced techniques.[16] His artwork is grounded in personal memory and urban storytelling, often portraying working-class communities and underrepresented narratives within Los Angeles.[17] His photography has appeared in public installations[18] and television productions, including the FOX series Rake (2014),[19] CBS's Vegas (2012),[20] and the independent film L.A. D.J. (2004).[21] He has created ongoing series such as Ethereal,[22] which explores imperfection through analog film leaks, and 1992,[23] a painting collection inspired by food stamp iconography.
According to media source, his photograph of Chaz Bojorquez was featured in the Smithsonian-published book Four Wheels and a Board (2022),[24] which documents the cultural history of skateboarding. In 2023, he was again recognized by the City of Los Angeles during Latino Heritage Month.[25]
Exhibitions
[edit]Unsung Heroes: Somos LA, Los Angeles City Hall, Los Angeles Ca. 2023
Contagious Culture, Superchief Gallery, Los Angeles, Ca. 2023
Pop Culture, Santa Clarita City Hall, Santa Clarita Ca. 2023
Reel, Tlaloc Studios, Los Angeles, Ca. 2021
These Streets, Street exhibit, Los Angels, Ca. 2020
Tainted Paradise, Embed Gallery, Chatsworth, Ca. 2019
Street Stories, Annex Gallery, Los Angeles, Ca 2018
Footprint Gala, V22LA Gallery, Los Angeles, Ca. 2018
Visual Reference, Residency Gallery, Ca. 2018
We Rise L.A. We RIse Gallery, Ca. 2018
Know Contemporary, Bel Air, Ca. 2017
Communion, Los Angeles, Ca. 2017
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.castrofrank.com
- ^ "CV | Castro Frank". Castro Frank New. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ all-about-photo.com (2022-04-03). "Exclusive Interview with Castro Frank". www.all-about-photo.com. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Castro Frank | Here & There Magazine". Here & There. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Castro Frank | Here & There Magazine". Here & There. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Life & Work with Castro Frank". VoyageLA.
- ^ "Life & Work with Castro Frank". VoyageLA.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "The Black Wall Project: A Picture Can Express a Million Words". HuffPost. 2014-09-10. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Pacoima bus benches feature photos by local artist Meet Frankie C". Daily News. 2015-10-16. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Castro Frank | Art Department, Actor". IMDb. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ all-about-photo.com (2022-04-03). "Exclusive Interview with Castro Frank". www.all-about-photo.com. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "The Black Wall Project: A Picture Can Express a Million Words". HuffPost. 2014-09-10. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Pacoima bus benches feature photos by local artist Meet Frankie C". Daily News. 2015-10-16. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Castro Frank". sugarpressart.com. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ all-about-photo.com. "Castro Frank". All About Photo. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Pacoima bus benches feature photos by local artist Meet Frankie C". Daily News. 2015-10-16. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ Rake (TV Series 2014) - Full cast & crew - IMDb. Retrieved 2025-06-24 – via www.imdb.com.
- ^ Vegas (TV Series 2012–2013) - Full cast & crew - IMDb. Retrieved 2025-06-24 – via www.imdb.com.
- ^ LA DJ: The Movie (2004) - Full cast & crew - IMDb. Retrieved 2025-06-24 – via www.imdb.com.
- ^ "L.A. Artist Castro Frank Presents New 'Ethereal' Photographs | Highbrow Magazine". www.highbrowmagazine.com. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Castro Frank". Saatchi Art. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-06-24.
Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:Artists from Los Angeles Category:American photographers Category:American contemporary artists Category:Street photographers Category:Hispanic and Latino American artists