JULIUS CAESAR BASTAMANTE

Julius Caesar Bustamante is a Native West Indian from the Arawak/Caribe nation. He is 50 years old and single. He was born in Curacao and raised in Spanish Harlem. Bustamante comes from a strong family background of educators and church people. He served in the US Army for 7 years and received several medals during his participation in two theatres of engagement. He says that military discipline helps him cope with everyday life. He is also a survivor of 9/11.

Bustamante started drawing when he was diagnosed with post traumatic stress syndrome in 2000. He has been making pastel and pencil drawings ever since. “Art,” he says, “soothes my state of mind.” Still loving a challenge, he sees art as a way to show others that disabilities do not disable.

Bustamante has traveled to numerous countries on several continents. His adventures and world overview help him capture the multicultural elements in his art. The stories of ancient civilization and their relationship to the present are his inspiration. Bustamante believes his art reflects the philosopher’s statement, ”We must be mindful of history or doomed to repeat it”.