About

Victor Tapia

Artist Statement

For as long as I can remember, art has been my passion.

My name is Victor Tapia. I am 41 years old and have been incarcerated since 2006, following a conviction for attempted murder. I was just 20 years old when I made the choices that would forever change the course of my life.

I grew up in Orange County, where a difficult childhood and an unhealthy environment shaped my beliefs and understanding of the world. Those experiences, along with poor decisions and personal failures, led me down a destructive path.

Through the grace of God, the support of my family, and years of personal growth and reflection, I have worked to rebuild my life and develop a deeper understanding of myself. I have learned to take responsibility for my past while recognizing that it does not have to define my future. Today, I embrace my journey, including the mistakes and hardships, because they have helped shape the person I have become.

In 2018, while incarcerated at Lancaster State Prison, I began taking my artistic practice seriously. What started as a lifelong passion became something much greater: a way to heal, reflect, and transform my understanding of the world around me. Through art, I found a sense of purpose, peace, and possibility during some of the darkest moments of my life.

Art has allowed me to create a world filled with light, hope, and meaning, even within the limitations of my circumstances. It has helped me recognize the blessings in my life and given me a way to express emotions and experiences that words alone cannot always capture. I remain deeply grateful to God, my family, and my friends for their continued love and support throughout this journey.

Since beginning my artistic practice, my work has been exhibited at CB1 Gallery, California State University, Los Angeles, UCLA, Hauser & Wirth's LITLIT Book Fair, and Out of Bounds (2020), among other exhibitions.

My commitment to giving back has also led me to work with service dogs. For four years, I have participated in canine training programs through the National Institute of Canine Service Training (NICST) and Paws on a Mission (POM). Through these programs, I have helped train dogs to assist people with diabetes, provide support for individuals living with PTSD, and guide people who are blind or visually impaired. This work has taught me patience, compassion, responsibility, and the importance of being of service to others. Just as art has helped me heal, working with these dogs has given me another opportunity to grow and contribute something meaningful beyond myself.

Sharing my artistic practice with others has also become an important part of my journey. Art has given me a way to connect with people, exchange experiences, and encourage others to discover their own creative abilities. Whether through painting, teaching, or simply sharing what I have learned, I believe creativity can open doors to healing, understanding, and personal transformation.

Giving back and making amends have become driving forces behind everything I do. Through art and service, I have discovered a deeper sense of self-worth and a responsibility to contribute something positive to the lives of others. My work is not only an expression of who I am, but also a reflection of who I continue to strive to become.

I cannot change my past, but I can continue to grow from it. Art has given me the opportunity to transform pain into purpose, and serving others has helped me understand the value of that transformation. I look forward to what the future holds.