Welcome to studio of Noel Mercado
Noel Mercado is a Mexican American, Chicago-based artist who works across various multimedia forms. His practice revolves around exploring the cultural meanings embedded in found objects, which he repurposes into new, expressive approaches. All of his works are handmade with a deep appreciation for quality, attention to detail, and craftsmanship. Everything becomes a canvas in his hands.
Noel’s appreciation for design, craftsmanship, and experimentation has led him to unique brand projects with Knoll, USM Modular Furniture, RIMOWA, Soho House, and Porsche, to name a few. Noel has shown work at Expo Chicago and Future Fair in New York, with more projects and showings in the upcoming year.
We're lucky to be friends and collaborators with Noel, having hosted his Group Critique Art Show at The Center of Order and Experimentation, as well as selling his limited edition toolboxes on our shelves. As we began developing our line of Chicago-made chore coats for The Center, we were excited to collaborate with Noel on a handful of customized coats, each marked with his creativity and unique vision. The Expert Service collection of coats are now available at The Center of Order and Experimentation.
Hi Noel! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Noel Mercado, I'm an artist based in Chicago and I love vintage sewing machines.
What excited you and sparked your creativity and curiosity as a child?
I was enamored with model cars. Being able to build and customize them as I envisioned fascinated me with possibility. I was always curious how things worked, I frequently took apart and put back together my CD players and model cars.
What prompted your fascination with utilizing found objects and repurposed materials in your work?
I've always seen past surface level wear in fabrics, woods, and metals. Under that surface level wear is material of value and potential. Later I found beauty in the blemishes and energy that was held in items that I've found.
You work across media from fine art to furniture to wearable art and objects. How do you decide which medium to use for each new project?Â
I sit with my materials for quite a bit of time before I decide on how they should be restructured. There are also basic principles that also come into play like strength, durability, and quantity which ultimately decide how I use my materials.
Do you have a particular ritual or process you use to kick off a new project?
Usually I have concepts stored away that I keep on the back burner until the right opportunity presents itself.
Where do you find inspiration and how do you recharge your creative battery?
I like to visit places with a lot of details and marvel at architecture: old buildings, my childhood neighborhoods, museums, old art/design books.
When you collaborate with brands or artists, how do you balance your artistic voice with the needs and vision of your project partner?
The fun of collaborations is actually collaborating. I enjoy brainstorming with other creatives that I respect and seeing how they problem solve big ideas with the resources at hand. It brings me back to my college days when I used to work on projects with my friends. When collaborating with brands there is usually a specific ask which I then present a handful of ideas and ways we can execute while staying true to my practice and simultaneously representing their name and brand ethos. Collaborative opportunities usually start with interest in what I make, which I'm grateful for because that means they understand my style and approach and trust me to carry that message over cohesively.
What recurring themes or ideas do you explore in your work? Are there cultural, social, or personal narratives you revisit often?
The message in my work is personifying the items I collect and giving them a chance to find a forever home to retire. Objects that are originally purchased for their durability, strength, and practicality, in my hands can become something more sacred and fragile when finished.
Is there a piece you've made recently that feels especially significant to you?
I currently have a show up at the Epiphany Art Center titled How Could We Forget About You and I feel that this new body of work best represents me through furniture, sculpture, and hanging art.
What excites you about the Noel Mercado x COE Workwear For Winners collaboration? Could you share more details about each incorporated element and the vision of this design as a whole?
When conceptualizing this collaboration I wanted to compliment the Workwear For Winners COE chore coat with vintage textiles and inspiration. The "Expert Service" was inspired by a vintage TV repair sign, both the navy blue and golden canvas pockets are vintage backdrops from a high school theater, and the brass metal button on the chest pocket was sourced from a retired suit maker. Everything added to the coats has a history to it.
Where do you love to hang out in Chicago?
A visit to the MCA and then dinner and drinks at the Ralph Lauren restaurant is a great day.
What are you currently loving at Martha Mae?
One of my favorites is the Martha Mae x Beam Paints collaboration and of course our chore coat collaboration.
Go to snack: Trail Mix
Go to studio scent: Probably one of my many candles received for Christmas
Got to beverage while working: Coffee
Go to studio playlist: East Side Story Vol 1-12
Go to travel uniform: Black hoodie, blue jeans, LL Bean Boat and Tote
Go to sourcing day meal: Two cups of coffee