“My inspiration for my pieces comes from my life struggles and from my culture. My paintings address the need for Immigration reform, Farmworker rights, and the need for change in the face of social injustices. My goal as an artist is to give a voice to the unheard and shed light on issues affecting our community." - Deported Artist

Javier Salazar Rojas, known by the artist name Deported Artist, was born in Tijuana, Mexico, and raised in Oakland, California. At age 11, on a trip to Mexico to visit his family, Salazar was forced to hide from border patrol for hours but was found and deported. Days later, he successfully crossed and returned to his family in the United States. At age 24, Salazar was incarcerated in California for eleven years, during which he learned how to draw. Upon his release, he was deported to Tijuana. Salazar dives into topics such as immigration policy and ancestral migration through his colorful, thought-provoking artwork. He often paints with what is most accessible to him, exploring mediums like acrylic, oils, aerosols, and digital painting.