Jose Elias is driven to express the juxtaposition of hope and prejudice that comes along with the journey to go north and the experiences of the men and women who are forever changed by it.
Mr. Elias considers his work to be, “… a brief description of the odyssey lived by the immigrants as they cross the dividing line between the abundance and the lack, the opportunities and the deception, the reality and the dreams, and in some occasions of life and death.” The faces of the figures in his work are partially obstructed, perhaps symbolizing the loss of identity and the stigma that immigrants must face when they are transplanted into an unfamiliar and very often hostile environment.
The concept of separation is repeated in his work visually represented by physical barriers imprisoning those struggling to defy them. Vibrant, warm colors jolt the senses and impart a feeling of danger for the figures in an otherwise natural palette. Mr. Elias made the journey himself and was compelled to express this epic physical and emotional battle that he and countless others have endured through his art.
While working on his Master of Arts at Fresno State, Jose conceptualized and painted El Mural de Los Americanos in the West Hills College North District Center. El Mural de Los Americanos is a 12 foot by 35 foot mural painted inside a classroom, which depicts famous Latinos who have created a positive change in their communities. These figures include the Father of Mexican independence Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, revolutionary General Pancho Villa, and local labor leader and founder of the National Farm Workers Association Cesar Chavez.
Jose completed his Master of Arts with an emphasis in drawing and painting at Fresno State before returning to the community college where his dreams of teaching began to pay it forward. Jose is currently an instructor of drawing and painting at West Hills College. He teaches students in the classroom which features El Mural de Los Americanos on its wall.
In his free time Mr. Elias presents his work to local classrooms to introduce students to art as an instrument of expression and share his experience. Jose is constantly experimenting and fine tuning his technique in order to offer his students additional tools to further their development and expand his own artistic repertoire. He favors large format canvases and oil paints, but is always searching for the next method of capturing the compelling images which mirror his memories and change conversations. His work has most recently been exhibited at Arte Américas and Jose is currently exploring the use of charcoals while creating pieces for his next exhibition.
Come see Jose Elias’ exhibit in the Green Office Furnishings gallery and join us for our inaugural 2nd Saturday ArtHop on September 13th from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
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