YG15 Showcase: Joaquin Salim

Shining the spotlight on this year's Young Guns winners

Young Guns 15, arguably the most prestigious portfolio-based competition for creatives under 30, is going out with a bang! This year's winners were unveiled earlier this month, and it's safe to say that this is one of the most eclectically talented classes in Young Guns history. 

This Thursday is the traditional Young Guns ceremony and party, (you've scored your tickets, right?) and nearly all of this year's winners will be travelling from across the globe, across the country, or across the Williamsburg Bridge to attend. Ahead of the festivities, the One Club for Creativity is highlighting many of the winners you'll be able to meet.

JOAQUIN SALIM
Multidisciplinary Creative
Based In: Brooklyn, NY
Originally from: Caracas, Venezuela
joaquinsalim.com

SEE JOAQUIN'S YG15 PROFILE + WORK

What does winning this award mean to you?

To be honest, this recognition means a lot to me. It feels like years of working hard have finally paid off. and it definitely makes me want to keep pushing myself to do more work. This year I have been so focussed on all the projects I’ve been involved inside and outside the office that they have consumed me to a point that everything else have taken the backseat, including award shows, so winning Young Guns took me completely by surprise.

What sorts of challenges have you encountered to get where you are today?

It took me a few years and lots of frustration to realize that to survive I needed to be creative outside of the office. And that exact day I did something for myself, letting my brain work without waiting for anyone’s approval or anyone's feedback, everything changed.

Since Young Guns 15 allowed you to submit six projects for consideration, some self-curation was required. How did you decide what to enter?

To be honest,  it was an interesting process. My agency wanted me to enter the competition, but I decided to enter several personal projects alongside my work for them,  because those projects truly reflect myself and what I stand for. I guess it worked!

What keeps you going, creatively speaking? What drives you and your work?

I would say one half is proving people wrong and the other half is a tortured need to create.

Now that you’re a Young Guns winner, what’s next?

More art shows, directing film… hopefully vacation at some point!

Joaquin and his fellow winners will be honored at the Young Guns 15 Ceremony + Party, taking place on Thursday, November 16 at Highline Stages in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. 

Young Guns 15 is presented in proud partnership with Shutterstock, Levene/Leavitt and MTV.

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