I am Angel Rafael “Ralph” Vázquez-Concepción, born in the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico in 1981 and now living in the quintessential West Coast beach town of El Granada, California. As a gay visual artist, independent curator, and educator, I create work that represents a multidimensional journey across multimedia, conceptual art, abstract painting, and the intricate process of exhibition design.
My current investigations delve into U.S. atomic culture and nuclear technology narratives, informed by a deep engagement with mid-century design and architecture—particularly the West Coast’s Googie legacy and the overlooked intelligence of its dingbats. Drawing from the historical evolution of abstraction, speculative fiction, and history with a capital H, this work reads the atomic age not only through science and policy but through the built environment that carried its optimism, anxiety, and futurism into everyday life. This exploration extends beyond artistic practice; it operates as a commentary on debates over humanity’s energy future and the enduring architectural and cultural residues of the atomic era, especially as they collide with the realities of climate change.
I completed my Master’s in Curatorial Practice at the California College of the Arts in 2015. Since then, my work has been displayed in prestigious venues across Puerto Rico, the US, and Kazakhstan, as well as online, reflecting the scope of my creative and intellectual pursuits.
A transformation in my artistic direction became especially pronounced during a pivotal visit to the National Museum of Nuclear Science and Technology in 2015 with mentor Leigh Markopoulos and my curatorial practice Master’s cohort. This experience inspired me to weave themes from nuclear science into my creative practice. My work explores the nuanced and often contradictory nature of atomic science—its immense power, potential, ethical dilemmas, and existential questions. Through my art, I aim to interlace the complexities of science, history, and art, reflecting on the human condition through the lens of the atomic age. I invite viewers into a profound dialogue about the intersection of technology, ethics, and the possibilities ahead.
Additionally, I am an avid collector of uranium glass, with pieces sourced from across the globe, including the US, the UK, France, and Eastern Europe. This collection reflects my fascination with how this centuries-old material spans history. I aim to tell a story through this collection, highlighting its historical significance, especially as its production became streamlined in the mid-20th century. As an artist, I thrive on using materials like uranium glass to craft narratives that connect past and present.
Since 2018, I have expanded my educational expertise by earning a Secondary Education degree in History and Social Studies from San Francisco State University and pursuing a second M.A. in Library and Information Sciences at San Jose State University. My passion for literacy, education, and research coalesces in my role as a public school teacher-librarian in San Francisco.
Since 2025, I have served on the board of the Richmond Art Center.
For studio visits (in person or virtually), exhibition inquiries, or to purchase my work, please email me at ralph.vazquez@gmail.com or leave a comment below. You can also visit Cranium Corporation, my site for curatorial research.
Ángel Rafael Vázquez-Concepción 