Miro Hoffmann: Agent of Change

A Non-Verbal Conversation

Miro Hoffmann, a New Orleans artist, creates strikingly fresh expressionism-laced landscapes, all of which are gorgeously infused with light, space, and a contemporary flavor. Hoffmann is versed in a range of artistic mediums, but is currently finding a keenness for painting on large wooden panels; “I consider myself a multidisciplinary artist. I have worked in sculpture, installation, experimental film, and photography.”

Hoffmann has been encouraged artistically since an early age and started seriously perusing art at the age of 12 when he made the decision to replace mainstream middle school with NOCCA Academy, an art middle school. NOCCA Riverfront high school followed this, where for four years Miro was “able to take 3 hours a day of classes ranging from sculpture, printmaking, photography, Photoshop, painting, ceramics, and drawing.” Hoffmann concluded his artistic education at the School of the Museum of Fine Art Boston, which finalized the rich and varied creative education which has inspired his thoughtful and contemporary style.

Inspiration can be drawn from almost anywhere for Hoffmann; “it can come from going to another artist’s studio, going out at night, or skateboarding around the city”. His calming, collage-reminiscent landscapes can also be provoked from more conceptual themes, such as self-sustainability, living with water, climate change, food access, and art history. A certain social and environmental-economic edge seems to be rooted in these colorful and soothing visuals.

“This body of work explores the rise of urban farming in post-Katrina New Orleans, investigating the history of landscape painting, while grounded in larger issues around climate change, resilience, breaking racial, social, economic boundaries, food deserts, and self-sustainability. I draw from personal experiences as well as historical references that thread together painting, light, film, architecture, and sculpture.”

Miro Hoffmann uses his role as an artist to deliver skill, beauty, and poignant non-vocal action; “it takes a lot of hard work, discipline, and failure to move forward, and most of us have to work a day job to pay the bills. I have a love-hate relationship with art, but I can’t stop.” Miro’s duty lies not only within perfecting the craft of painting and creating, but in deciphering current context into an aesthetic agent for change, a trade he is deliberately and passionately bound to.

All images copyright of Miro Hoffmann

You can view more work by Miro on his Instagram and website.

Article written by Kate Smith