As Rose Buds Blossom, 2023-ongoing
As Rose Buds Blossom is a personal reflection on Valentino’s family, cultural upbringing, fortitude, and permanence through the transformative use of photography.  The beauty of being from the streets. The rose that grew from concrete.  

His memories aspired, beyond a visual reflection; mixed media was essential to this project’s realization and enabled a palpable introspection.    

Cynder blocks, dyed twine, building materials, etc., played an important role in the artist’s processes.  The hands-on requirement to shape the materials beyond two-dimensionality situated him into a space where he could translate his memories, values, and multiple skill sets into conclusive art objects.  







KALEID Gallery


32
0 So. 1st St., San Jose, CA 95113
Solo Exhibition Dates: November 7– 28, 2025

Artist’s Reception: First Friday, November 7th, 5 pm–9 pm, the SoFA District

Select works available online: here







Beyond The Fires and Tribulations, 2025Mixed media: Mexo clay, found burned branch, concrete, wire, wood, rose
24 X 24 X 60”






What We Know, 2025 
[scanned family archives (1.5 X 2” photobooth print, c.1959)
Valentino’s Grandmother (R) and Friend (L)]
Silver gelatin print made from an 8 X 10” transparency negative.












Her Loving Memory, 2022
Photography and lace paper
18 X 24”







The Person Rose Out of Darkness, 2023
Photography, Darkroom Print  (digitized version)
14.75 X 18.75”






Persistent Love, 2026
32 X 10”
Scanned darkroom prints (8 X 10”) with rose petals, added during the scanning process.



 






Key to My Heart, 2026
Polaroid and alternative media
12 X 12 X 6”









Seeing Through Life’s Petals, 2023