Juan Alvear transforms nails in awe-inspiring ways. From making his digits resemble the body of an alligator to a tropical island, his creations are works of art. They’re typically extra long – which means you can forget about doing basic things like using your phone – textured, and striking.
Alvear, who is also a sculptor, has always been drawn to nail polish, much in the same way that he’s always liked markers and paint. So when he started painting nails (messily, he says), he decided to mix a few of his hobbies together. “Alongside this practice, I also work in sculpture and I began making earrings and brooches and painting them with amongst other things, nail polish,” he tells Remezcla. “I figured why not collapse these things and create a wearable sculpture hybrid. It felt new and exciting, but also very true to me.”
Though the nails aren’t for a long-time wear, they are meant to make an impact – both for him, who weaves in bits of his background into each of his masterpieces, and for the wearer, who can show off their personality.
“What it comes down to is I want nails to be fun, wild, beautiful, wacky,” he says. “The nails come from a deeply personal place. Deep down, I’m honestly not a very serious person, and that shows through in my nails.”
If you’re a nail art fan, you’ll want to follow Alvear’s Instagram account for a journey through his wild creations. Check out a few below:
h/t The Fader
Editor’s Note: This piece has been updated to add responses from Alvear.