To simply label John Freddy Hurtado as a curator is lazy, dismissive but above all insulting. Beginning in 2010, Hurtado set forth on a journey that would later deeply affect the lives of visual artists, recording artists, community activists and students of the arts across state lines. Although, the former Kean University student humbly refutes this notion stating that at times he can be a bit harsh when judging the measurable progress of his self-named activism-oriented art collective, Hurt John, having roots anchored in the ghettos of Elizabeth, New Jersey with branches extending to New York City, New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as well as self-funding dozens of live events, panel discussions and art exhibitions, John Freddy is considered to be one of the most influential voices in the Tri-States art community and the success of Hurt John is a testament to that.
After years of admiring the Hurt John collective, in October of 2016 I was invited to be a guest moderator at the Straight Face, No Profile exhibition centered on Ava Duvernay’s Netflix original documentary 13th curated by former business partner Gabriel Kissoon (currently serving as an intern for office of New York Mayor Bill de Blasio), it wasn’t until the exhibition that I was fortunate enough to meet the man behind the movement, John Freddy.
As he and Kissoon welcomed me to the gallery space and began to go over the evening’s itinerary I couldn’t help but feel the pair’s warm and inviting energy. For the duration of the panel to which John Freddy served as a commentator, I was taken by his passion for the arts; a passion that is contagious to anyone within ear’s reach proven by his highly-regarded collaborations with The Source, Hot 97.1 FM’s on-air personality DJ Drewski and ScottyTooFly, Nigel Scott Morris founder of The Dean’s List Tour, On A Journee and the 200+ Hurt John collective creative members.
Often maintaining a low-profile, I was able to peel back the many layers of John Freddy Hurtado in an intimate interview where we discussed his beginnings, the mission of Hurt John collective, arts education in urban communities and more. Read the full interview below!
You recently curated at Kean University’s Nancy Dryfoos Gallery how did that come about?
” We were blessed with the opportunity because of all the things we were doing to presented a full art gallery at Kean [University], the first time I’ve ever curated a month long exhibition at an institution. The exhibition was almost like a rejuvenation and appreciation by Kean to showcase what we are doing. I was once a student there and so to return as an artist is something I am proud of!”
So tell me about the Hurt John collective and its evolution.
“Because Hurt John is independently funded [the evolution occurred in] three waves. The wave who city thought I was going to be the artist like I was going to be the Chance [The Rapper] of New Jersey you know community driven, community orientated and talented creating open mics then my life began to spiral. Then we invigorated it and branded it from Hurt John to the Hurt John Experience then it became more creative and driven around the artists I was around which was more so for them. Another unexpected turn of events occurred so we re-branded to become the Hurt John Circus to essentially focus on everything similar to an art expo. I’ve been working at this since I was 18 years old.”
So how did you get your start?
“When I was 18 years old, I worked at The Star-Ledger. I started as the receptionist so in my mind by 21 I was going to be the biggest journalist in the world. I started by reporting on non-profits which lead to this full circle. I would interview these non-profits then write the articles for nj.com. I realized that every conversation I was having was a learning experience. I was learning how non-profits were functioning and what value they were creating in the community. Now that I’m 25 years old, subconsciously that was Hurt John is becoming and what I am becoming as an extension of the collective. As it stands right now, Hurt John as draws a lot of its real power from its partners and the community similar to the NAACP. “
Do you have a formal education in the arts? When did you begin to nourish your passion for the arts?
“I’m an artist fanatic! I’ve studies art from everytime period even the 1800s but to answer your question, no, I don’t have a formal education in the arts. [Growing up] there were no arts schools in Elizabeth! My fourth-grade teacher was the inspiration behind everything. She wanted to be a writer so she instilled it into me, in a way she was almost vicariously living through me. When I left my elementary school and as a kid, I knew I was going to be a writer. I am a writer, at my core, it is who I am! Then with everything that has unfolded is the natural trajectory of my life.”
As you stated earlier, as a youth there were no local art schools for you to explore but this isn’t the case now. In the past year alone, Newark, New Jersey’s downtown arts district has seen an increase in arts spaces and art related events. What’s your take on this?
“It’s great to see the arts flourish in anyway but the first step of gentrification is the emphasis of arts. No business person wants to relocate their family into an area with culture. So, what happens is curators will come in to redevelop spaces and create events highlighting the arts and event bringing in some of the local artists. To combat that local artists can conform to fit into these programs as just an artist but to have equal control or create events of your own that service the community to these new curators have to partner with you not the other way around.”
But the notion is that the arts community in New Jersey has excelled in the way many predicted because of leaders are not willing to work together. What are your thoughts?
“I disagree. [Collaboration is] my motto! Why would we compete when there is such a desolate art community in New Jersey that instead of dividing ourselves let’s come together and build a network that will grow on its on. “
What does the future hold for John Freddy and the Hurt John collective?
“A lot! I’m working a lot right now that I can’t really give away but trust me it’s big!”
Stay connected with the Hurt John collective on Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr for alerts for their upcoming events, view featured artwork as well as artists.
