This multimedia series by Javier A. Lara honors the lasting impact of his immigrant parents. This collection serves as a visual narrative, reflecting their profound influence on his life, creativity, and education. Through a diverse array of installations, paintings, collages, photographs, and videos, Javier invites viewers to explore themes of resilience, sacrifice, and cultural heritage. The Fabric Installations uniquely blend past and present, transforming art into historical narratives that celebrate his family’s legacy.

The Paternal Legacy: Craftsmanship and Innovation Javier’s paternal lineage is deeply rooted in the tradition of weaving. His father, a skilled weaver, learned the craft from his own father and later became a technician textile designer. The textile design is mirrored in Javier’s approach to art, where every thread tells a story, and every design is a reflection of his heritage.

The Maternal Legacy: on his mother’s side, the narrative is one of resilience and reinvention. Javier’s grandmother, once a member of an affluent society, was a talented wedding dress designer. However, after the sudden loss of her husband and the family fortune, she was forced to reclaim her craft as a means of survival. At the age of thirty-six, she made the bold decision to migrate to Barranquilla, Colombia, where she continued her weaving work while raising eight children alone. Her story is one of determination and strength, and it profoundly influenced Javier’s understanding of art as a means of both survival and expression.

1. Between Tree Nations is an immersive installation that powerfully captures the essence of the immigrant experience. The installation features a meticulously reconstructed living space filled with objects of deep emotional significance, symbolizing the nostalgia and longing that immigrants feel for the homes they left behind.
2. Collages: These pieces are visual meditations on displacement, identity, and belonging. The compositions blend abstract forms with recognizable imagery, including the outline of a homeland map, portraits of Javier’s parents, and symbols of their cultural heritage. By combining photographs, textiles, and handwritten notes, Javier creates layered works that reflect the fragmented nature of memory. These collages convey the process of piecing together a new life from the remnants of the past, highlighting the resilience and creativity needed to forge a new path.
3. Photographs: The photography series features a collection of intimate portraits from Javier’s childhood, capturing tender moments shared with his parents. These images, rich in quiet reflection and the simplicity of everyday life, are thoughtfully juxtaposed with scenes from their homeland, creating a powerful dialogue between past and present. The choice of black-and-white photography underscores the timelessness of their journey, highlighting the enduring connection to their roots and the emotional depth of their experiences.
4. Videos: The video component of the series showcases artistic collaborations with Javier’s mother, blending archival footage with newly created visual content. These videos intimately explore their personal stories, delving into the emotions of life and death through the lens of Pablo Neruda’s poetry. They also address the challenges, social and political issues, and triumphs faced as immigrants. The narrative is enriched by a layered soundscape of ambient sounds and spoken word, amplifying the emotional depth and resonance of their journey

This exhibit beautifully encapsulates the artist’s profound respect and admiration for his parents, highlighting their significant impact on his creative journey. By incorporating Fabric installations, the artist honors his paternal lineage’s dedication to the textile craft. Additionally, the inclusion of performances/video collaborations serves as a heartfelt tribute to his late mother. In general, the artwork emphasizes the emotional and inspirational influence of both parents on his artistic endeavors. The exhibit promises to be a touching and visually captivating homage to the artist’s familial roots and the enduring legacy of their voices in his work.

A series of fabric installations will be the focal point of the exhibit, with each panel addressing different social and political themes. These themes depict a diverse and inclusive worldview, reflecting the cultural foundation his parents exposed him to.

Opening Reception: Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 5:30 -8:30pm

Closing Reception: Friday, August 30, 2024 from 7:00pm – 8:30pm. Join Javier for an in-depth narration of his exhibit and the journey…

Exhibit Run Dates: August 24 – 30, 2024

Viewing Hours: Saturday at Noon with reception starting at 5:30pm, Wednesday Noon – 9:00pm, Thusday Noon – 6:00pm, Friday Noon – 9:00pm

   This Exhibit Includes a Video Installation

The following videos will presented:

“From Love to Death to Life”
Poetic work interpretation based on 100 Sonates by Pablo Neruda.

“Between 3 Nations”
The experiences a nomad must endure, mapping, displacement, and adjusting to a new culture.

“Parallel Line”
Political/Social experience by Mother and Son at different historical times of the decay of Venezuelan 63 years soled democracy.

Art Statement

The imagery present in my work is predominately inspired by an eroticism that I perceive as inherent from my cultural exposure. Through materiality, color choices and artistic language I call attention to social, political, and environmental issues. My intention is to create visually seductive work to evoke memories, associations, and different type of emotions in the viewer, thus creating a space for conversation, thought, engagement, and action.

Biography: Javier A. Lara

Javier A. Lara is an artist based in the USA. Born in Colombia and raised in Venezuela, Lara relocated to the USA to continue his higher education.

He received a BFA from Rhode Island College in 1992 and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2003. Heritage and personal life experiences are the most important source of inspiration for Lara’s artistic practice and his creativity has a solid foundation in his parents exposing him to various cultures and an inclusive view of the world.

https://javieralara.com/

Made possible with support from the Broward County Cultural Division.