The White House censored my art.
Hugo, a Mexican American artist living between Tijuana and San Diego, uses his figurative work to tell human stories that bridge borders and divisions. He believes narratives connect communities and transcend politics, history, and geography. When the White House moved to review and effectively censor his portrait of Dr. Anthony Fauci, he saw it as an attempt to rewrite history and erase uncomfortable truths. Hugo argues that artists must resist fear, continue telling their stories, and shine light on injustices—especially when powerful forces try to silence them.