Cristhian Varela (he/him) is a multidisciplinary artist, working stiff, and dreamer based in Philadelphia, PA. His practice is auto-ethnographic, engaging with a wide range of media, including image, text, performance, moving image, and sculpture. Cristhian’s work explores the emotional and mental toll of labor, the history and politics of the working class, and the ongoing destabilization of Central America by foreign powers. Drawing on archival research and a critical examination of pop culture, his art addresses the complex immigrant experience—specifically the search for belonging across cultures and geographies. Through his work, Cristhian interrogates themes of displacement, identity, and resistance, often blurring the boundaries between personal and collective histories.