The Downtown Rogers' celebration of local artists known as Art on the Bricks has persevered despite the threat of covid-19 by re-imagining the event online: Art lovers can now view the featured artists' work via the organization's Facebook page. This month, the theme is "Celebrate Diversity" in partnership with Hispanic Heritage Month.
"Art plays an important role in reflecting and influencing the culture of our community," reads a press release about the event. "As Northwest Arkansas experiences rapid demographic changes, we are privileged to become acquainted with new friends and neighbors who bring with them a wide variety of cultures, influences, experiences and heritage from across the globe. The Celebrate Diversity virtual exhibit seeks to serve as a reflection of the artists' cultures and their contributions to the creative economy in Northwest Arkansas."
The exhibit will feature the work of 25 artists, including David Gomez. Gomez moved to the Northwest Arkansas area from Mexico in 1997, when, he says, art became a vital means of communication.
"I have ADHD and dyslexia, so I gravitated towards this form of language," explains Gomez.
Gomez answered some questions about his work and the exhibit for What's Up!
Q. The theme for this month's Art on the Bricks is "Celebrate Diversity." Can you tell us a little bit about the art that you submitted and how it aligns with this theme?
A. The pieces that I submitted use a lot of symbology abstraction. I look for symbols from the native cultures of Mexico and add it to my work. They are subtle so as to not overtake the composition. For example, in the "Solo De Guitarra Purpura" -- also known as "The Guitar Player" -- I created a composition with the goals of a visual representation of music. In the front of the painting I added numbers in Mayan format. I added these numbers because it speaks to rhythm and counting tempos. I use these symbols for different reasons, but this is just one of the examples of what you see in my artwork.
Q. The Northwest Arkansas area area grows more and more diverse with each passing year. From an artist's perspective, can you talk a little bit about why events like this one are beneficial/necessary/important to celebrating that diversity?
A. Many people in my culture struggle with a feeling of not belonging to the mainstream culture. In many cases, we struggle feeling unwelcome. Events like this one help remind us that we are part of the culture. We are now contributors on many aspects of the economy and consumer demand. We have had a lot of doors open. My extended family is a constant reminder that I am welcome in this culture, and this is my new homeland. These events are that additional reminder that we are welcome to contribute to the arts and that we want to be heard; not only at home, with our families and friends.
Q. You've been in the Northwest Arkansas area for a while now. Can you talk a little bit about the changes that have happened over the last couple of decades, especially to the arts culture, and how that has that affected you as an artist?
A. I have seen an increase in interest for my artwork, and I have noticed a change in my artwork as well. I have grown from my experiences in Arkansas. The subcultures in Arkansas have influenced my artwork and have changed my way of expressing my thoughts. I have noticed that I am not the only case. Many Hispanic artists are also getting influenced by our adoptive culture. We are not replacing the culture of our ancestors, but we are carrying with us to the next generation and letting our artwork mesh together. The result is a revival of artistic expression that pulls from a rich set of cultures and influences.
Q. What do you hope people get out of events like the Arts on the Bricks?
A. I hope people have an opportunity to meet artists and cultures that they may have not been familiar with in the past. What I love about sharing my artwork is how universal the art language is. Sometimes pieces where I created from what I brought from my culture and I added from my life experiences in Arkansas capture the attention of non-Hispanic [people]. It bridges both cultures. One of those pieces is "Leña cortada" (Cut Wood). In this piece I added symbols in the background. They resemble Aztec details from "petate" (bed) engravings, and then I added a strong line drawing of a log of wood being struck by a hatchet. The image is part of my experiences in Arkansas and working outdoors. The last part of the painting is pouring paint in the style of Jackson Pollock, one of my main art influences. Art on the Bricks provides the highlight that lets people know of this new movement of Hispanic artists who contribute to the arts in the United States as part of the American culture.
Go Online!
Art on the Bricks:
Celebrate Diversity
See the artwork at facebook.com/ArtOnTheBricks through Oct. 15.
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October 04, 2020 at 07:08PM
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Five Minutes, Five Questions: Artist David Gomez - Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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