Grey ACD Takes Top Prize at MvVO Art/Ad Show

Danae Nunez (aka Mocosa) challenges stereotypes

Danae Nunez, (aka Mocosa) emerged as the winner of the Speciality Clio Award during the 7th annual MvVO Art/Ad Art Show’s reception held last night at Outfront Media in New York. 

The event honors professionals working across fine arts and advertising. Art experts and collectors served on the jury.

Mocosa’s art is mission-driven. She hails from Mexico City, and while she has spent most of her life in the U.S., Mocosa’s work is highly influenced by her origins. This is evident in her use of bright colors, as well as the Otomi patterns and Mexican iconography seen throughout. 

For her, art is mainly about the messaging.

“It’s about having an opinion and something to say, and feeling the need to get it out,” says Mocosa. “Most of my work comes from my opinions of how society views Latinos and women, and feeling the need to combat these stereotypes. Exploring who I am as a Latina is also important for me in my work, and making art helps me through that process.”

Her mixed-media collages and paintings that impressed the judges focus on the theme of “Everyday Luchadores.”

“For most people, the ‘luchador’ is a metaphor for strength and being a fighter. But to me, most Latinos are just that,” says Mocosa. “So, it’s about applying that metaphor to everyday people and portraying them in the same way we portray ‘heroes’ and ‘saints’ in art.”

Mocosa uses a range of materials, but mainly oil, having a preference for its tradition and permanence. 

That said, this piece honoring her grandfather is in watercolors, because she wanted something more delicate to represent his recent passing:

The Maria Sabina piece is oil on cardboard; it uses materials more organic and representative of who the subject was:

Mocosa has worked in advertising since 2017, and is currently an ACD at Grey. She believes both art and advertising have similar intentions. 

“Contemporary art is giving you a message in a clever and sometimes beautiful way,” while advertising works on the same principle—”and the more creative, the better,” she says.

As for winning the top prize, “As a Latina, it’s amazing to be considered for these things, and I hope it opens doors for other Latinas.”

Edom T. and Arturo Macouzet round out the top three artists who received recognition at the event. 

Macouzet demonstrates vivid color with mixed-media work:

While Edom T.’s striking oil paintings tell a vibrant story:

“MvVO ART is proud to have created the AD ART SHOW platform to showcase contemporary artists from the advertising industry,” said program founder Maria van Vlodrop. “The heart of this show is our commitment to discovering and promoting new contemporary talent.”

The seven finalists include: Arvie McKenzie, Edwin Weitz, Jasper Udink ten Cate, Leo Macias, Michael Diedrich, Nathalie De Zan and Sherina Florence.

The three top winners had their efforts featured yesterday on Outfront Media’s Times Square Billboards. Additionally, works by the top 10 artists will receive nationwide exposure via Outfront nationwide.

Art from all entrants is available for purchase through the MvVO e-gallery on Artsy.