Tamara Itzel Argueta Peralta
Artist - Artist Assistant, Los Angeles
Tamara Itzel Argueta Peralta is an artist born of two immigrants and raised in Boyle Heights. She is a photographer, writer, painter. She enjoys art in truly all forms whether assisting other artist friends, taking photos of strangers and friends, or learning art history. She also helps out at Leiminspace, a gallery in Chinatown.
Who are you?
Hello, my name is Tamara Itzel Argueta Peralta, I was born in Boyle Heights, CA. I am a photographer, a writer, a painter, a woman who chooses no boundary onto which she can expand on. A daughter of immigrant parents, first generation who truly to an extent aspires to not only make her parents proud but hopes to one day be able to provide for them.
We see a lot of different people on your roll, can you tell us a little about them?
Yes! Of course ! Some people I have met through work, others through friends but all through life. I love all the people I got to capture, The picture of my cousin Cintia and her two kids is my favorite. She’s a scorpio with a virgo moon, who growing up was the cool older person I looked up to, I remember her slicked back hair paired with thin eyebrows, hoops, dickies and some white air forces oh and those scrunchies she’d put on her bun, now we’re both older but she has always given me good advice on life. oh and of the two little girls wearing pink, I was walking to the metro and I saw their fits and felt inspired. I love photographing strangers who are just doing them. Some of the other people such as Urbyn and David I’ve met through work but I’m lucky enough to regard them as friends. Schelsey, my boss at Leimin who’s kicks ass at anything she takes on. Lastly, my ride or die, Megan, ab, plo, Tina, the friends who see you grow through it all. Can you tell I’m obsessed with my friends lol. If I missed anyone oops I’m not looking at the roll rn! I love you all !!!!!!!!!!!
How did your love for Art start?
I consider art to be any form of human expression that is a true and honest reflection on personal intimate growth; I have loved art for as long as I can remember. Art through music form shaped my younger years and was a catalyst for photographing the world around and those who took part in it. In high school, I was that girl with a camera taking your picture simply to capture the energy of the moment because life can feel short lived. My love for Art in its physical form ie; paintings, sculpture, installations etc, came about my first art history class at community college. I had never experienced anything so magical in a classroom setting until then. As cliche as it sounds, art in its truest form inspires me to get out of bed everyday that and this undying need to help others.
How do you feel about photography?
It’s a magical thing that we live in the day in age where one can capture their environment, the people in it, their intimate moments etc all on camera. Whether it be digital, or on film, I feel photography is one of the most vital forms in the creation of human history and its intersection with art history through self expression is an ever-growing aspect onto its own. Whenever I see a moment of beauty in my city, I almost always pull out my camera to capture it, it’s not so much about it being shown but it being captured because Los Angeles itself has been and continues to change. As a photographer, I sometimes look back on old pictures of La and feel awe for the beauty of the city, and that humbles me. I hope that more people embrace this aspect of human expression, it is one of the most magical ways you can live life.
If you could change one thing on earth, what would it be?
Distribution of wealth.
We meet you again in 10 years, where are you and what do you do?
I am possibly in another country, photographing for a living, maybe have had a kid, definitely written a few critical theories on the evolution of human expression through the usage of the internet, DJ’d in a few places outside of LA and finished up that Ep of love songs. Oh and written a poetry book of some sorts.
Your idea of happiness?
Feeling nothing and everything at the same time.
Your idea of misery?
Drowning in a lack of balance of emotions.
If not yourself, who would you be?
No one.
Your heroes?
The immigrant mother, father who works day and night to provide their kids with the opportunities they didn’t have.
What is your present state of mind?
Excited as fuck - thankful as fuck.
A song?
I only have eyes for you by the flamingos.
Right or left handed?
Both.
What is the best dish you can cook?
Salmon with sautéed veggies.
What is your middle name?
Itzel.
What do you do in your free time?
Write, dance in my room, currently my project is scanning 10 years worth of film for my archive.
What inspires you?
Love and the unknown.
What do you do for money?
Assist an artist, Devin Troy Strother - Help out at Leimin space, sometimes catering.
What do you do for pleasure?
Paint, write, listen to music, cuddling, - watch the office - spend time with my gecko, Peach.
Bedside table books?
Society and the spectacle by Debord, a James Turell book, and KKW - Steven Klein Love Magazine from 2015.
What do you do if you can’t sleep at night?
Take melatonin.
Do you collect?
Zines my friends make, art books, comic books, Im a big fan of Daniel Clowes.
Tea or coffee?
Both.
What is the strangest thing you believed as a child?
That the three kings were real, I was in middle school when I found out it wasn’t true.
A color?
Pink.
A city?
Los Angeles.
What are your plans for this weekend?
It’s Abby’s birthday Saturday ! - Sunday , if I’m not too hungover, laundry - scan some more film.
