Drew Deng is a mixed media artist born in 2002 of Ecuadorian and Chinese descent. They are influenced by their experience in community organizing and time spent in the Everglades – illustrating their queer experience, South Florida’s natural and social ecosystem, and the overlap of both. In Drew’s work, vibrant colors and warped perspectives draw attention to where emotions physically manifest in the body. Their practice involves a mix of drawing, weaving, printmaking, and sculpting while trying to find new ways of intersecting these methods in order to create an approachable feeling for all ages in a sense of nostalgia, intensity, and familiarity.

Working outside of any formal institutions, Drew began to build community through grassroots organizing. Initiatives such as the 786 Gallery exhibition and Casa Crea artist meetups aim to platform underprivileged artists by providing access to basic commodities, materials, and resources. Drew’s ongoing artwork is inspired by this community, illustrating vibrant scenes to express the intensity of these spaces. Drew’s work has been displayed in SXSW Texas, Green Space Miami, and The Dalí Museum. Their projects in the community have also resulted in collaborations with HistoryMiami Museum, The Awesome Foundation, and The Peace Studio.