Painting faces in search of myself and my mum

Juano Diaz was taken in to care aged six, his mother was battling alcoholism and he wasn't being cared for. But Juano missed his mum and with no photos of her, he became obsessed by drawing her face so he wouldn't forget her. He was later adopted by a strict Catholic and Romany Gypsy family but when he came out as gay he was asked to leave. Now down-and-out on the streets of Glasgow, with his life spiralling, he started to search for his mother again. He would scan faces in the crowds, draw his own face to explore his features, feminise them to look more like his mum and soon he discovered his talent for portraiture. Today, he paints the faces of modern icons: Pharell Williams, Madonna, Vivienne Westwood. This would lead to artistic success and a very different lifestyle – including a friendship with Grace Jones and ultimately a whole new family.

Juano’s memoir is called Slum Boy.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Andrea Kennedy

Get in touch: [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Juano Diaz as a young boy painting a portrait. Credit: Courtesy of Juano Diaz)