Noé Montes is an award-winning artist based in Los Angeles. For more than 20 years, Montes’ work has documented underrepresented communities to effect change through storytelling, education and advocacy around social, economic, and environmental issues.
Born in Modesto, California, Montes grew up in a family of migrant farm workers that traveled up and down California’s Central Valley following harvests. Although often experiencing challenging conditions, his family was able to survive and thrive with the help of an extended and constantly shifting community where relationships were based on empathy. It is from these early personal experiences that Montes continues to develop culturally sensitive projects as an artist.
The themes of his work are personal and community development with a strong focus on the social issues that are shaping a new American narrative. As a facilitator, Montes has extensive experience working with educational, cultural, civic institutions and non-profit organizations both regionally in California and across the country. Montes’ list of commissions includes work for the Annenberg Foundation, the California Air Resources Board, the California Community Foundation, The Getty Foundation, L.A. Metro, Lift To Rise, The Palm Springs Art Museum and The University of Southern California among others.