RECEPTION: September 10th, 3 - 5:00 pm

ART TALK: September 4th, 3 - 5:00 pm

Axis Gallery is proud to present Gran Silencio (Great Silence), a collaborative exhibition by artists Raffa Chavez and Judith Johnson.

Artist Exhibition Statement

Over the course of our friendship and a two-painting collaboration last year, we shared family stories, noticing parallel and converging themes of immigration, struggle, and cultural pride. Like many immigrants to the United States, our parents and grandparents came in search of a better life. They mostly maintained silence about the privations, fears, dangers, and discrimination they faced. Persevering, powering through, they wanted us to thrive. We are. As working artists, we surpass their dreams for us.

Now, with gratitude, we have cuentos para contar (stories to tell). Why did they leave their homes in “the old country”: Cotija, Michoacán, Mexico; Homs, Syria and Zahle, Lebanon? How did they get here? What was their experience in the fields, factories, mills, and circus? Through triumphs and tragedies, they freely gave us the beauty of culture and the love of family, but finding their buried life stories has been a years-long archaeological dig.

This exhibition shows how each of us approaches these questions. Our answers (archaeological discoveries) are emotive, tranquil and topsy-turvy, colorful and celebratory. Our artwork is the non-linear visualization of stories, memories, dreams, and life. For the collaborative pieces, we responded visually to each other’s stories, trading the paintings back and forth. Our individual work bookends the collaborative pieces, so you can puzzle out the synergy of collaboration. Collaborating has been difficult and motivating. We recommend it!

Artist Bios

Raffa Chávez, artist-storyteller born and raised in California with a background in Chicano Theater, seeks to explore the identity of the Mexican-American bicultural experience in the U.S. through dramatic depictions in acrylic, mixed media, and collage, that includes film photographs personally taken by the artist. His brightly colored figurative childlike portrayals of Freudian themes and religion, combined with old Mexican folklore, Chicano activism, and old time Americana result in emotive and thought-provoking creations. The artist’s intent is to pull the viewer in for a closer look and stir thought, introspection, emotion, social activism, self-awareness, and discussion. Raffa believes that painting bright, strong well-organized images and collage works best to draw out the forgotten memories, stories, and emotions that are buried within each observer.

Artist Quote

“When we are silenced go ahead and create, paint, write, and act; the truth will reveal itself.” – Raffa Chávez

Judith Johnson is a life-long artist living in Sacramento, CA. She became serious about her artwork at her magnet high school in Dallas, TX and earned a BFA in studio art at University of North Texas. Despite many catastrophic events in her life, she has continued to create artwork that celebrates being Human: history, humor, appreciation of nature, dreams, relationships, daily life. Judith draws inspiration from her garden, cycling (her primary form of transportation), wandering, and the archives of her immigrant grandparents. Judith works in thematic series in multiple media including paintings, drawings, mono prints, and assemblages. Judith supports her community's art organizations by being a docent at The Crocker Art Museum and as a member and volunteer at Verge Center for the Arts