Writer’s Block 2021

I printed all the notes on my phone and wheatpasted them to the gallery wall for a 14 day solo show at
an artist-run space in Long Island City, NY. The show was called: There is Something Here. It ran from March 15th to March 31st. 

Writer’s Block 2021
Wheat Paste, Paper, Strings, Thumbtacks.

An exploration of the memories that exist as archives on our phones. 

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“Jevi from 9 to 11” is part cinematic poem, part faux documentary. 
Governors Island, New York City 2021


A film by Carlos David Trujillo, featuring: Jevijoe Vitug. 
With music by: Ben Seretan.

Jevi From 9 to 11

part cinematic poem, part faux documentary about a talented Filipino painter living in New York City, the film provides an intimate look at an immigrant artist’s life during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. For about 29 minutes we accompany our protagonist from their studio in Long Island City, a rapidly gentrifying part of the city to The Metropolitan Museum of Art where he’s a security guard.





This dual life, balancing the pursuit of his artistic dreams and the practicalities of a day job during a global crisis, becomes the core theme of the piece.

Throughout the film, I tried to incorporate elements reminiscent of Agnes Varda's style, using a mix of real-time sequences and reflective moments that delve into Jevi's thoughts. Viewers witness the contrast between the vibrant, imaginative world of Jevi's paintings and the stark reality of his life as a security guard.



The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a backdrop, shaping the narrative with its challenges and uncertainties. Jevi's interactions with colleagues, museum visitors, and the empty galleries convey a poignant reflection on the impact of the pandemic on the art community.

The film also explores themes of resilience, identity, and the pursuit of passion in the face of adversity. Jevi's journey becomes a metaphorical canvas where he paints his own story, navigating through the complexities of life as an artist during a global crisis.





As the day progresses, Jevi's experiences converge, blurring the lines between his artistic endeavors and his responsibilities as a security guard. The film culminates with a thought-provoking blend of reality and imagination, leaving the audience with a profound reflection on the transformative power of art in the midst of crisis.




This film was made possible (in part) by the Queens Council on the Arts with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Carlos David Trujillo is one of 500 New York City-based artists to receive a grant by the City Artist Corps Grants program, presented by The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), with support from the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) as well as Queens Theatre.

The Texas Got Me

A series of self tapes and self portraits. 
Mini-DV Tape Recording 
Country: USA (Austin, TX)
Year: 2022

A lonely cowboy falls and gets up many times in this visual poem about someone consumed by the loss of a loved one.

A series exploring movement, loss, grief and existentialism.

“Solo En La Galeria” “Alone In The Gallery” (2020)

Site-Specific Perfomance.
Produced at Flux Factory, NYC in 2020.

A gallery, stripped of its usual patrons, becomes an intimate sanctuary for the exploration of identity and existence. Within this secluded space, the boundaries between observer and observed blur, inviting viewers into a poignant meditation on the complexities of the human experience.




With only the dim glow of the laptop screen illuminating the space, the protagonist connects to a projector, initiating a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow. Using QuickTime, they commence a delicate dance of self-representation, capturing their movements against the backdrop of the gallery's emptyness. And with each repetition of the loop, the narrative deepens, weaving a tapestry of self-reflection and contemplation.





“Solo En La Galeria” was filmed within the setting of a gallery devoid of human presence. Utilizing the space as a carefully curated backdrop, the artist transforms it into a stage for introspection and self-exploration.