Jose Manuel Gonzalez Chavajay

I am from San Pedro La Laguna and I am 21 years old. Between the ages of twelve and thirteen years of age, I began to demonstrate an ability in drawing and painting. I drew mostly cartoons and animals. I took the initiative to continue drawing and painting and have never stopped. Art gives my life meaning and a means of expressing who I am as well as a means of expressing emotions such as happiness, sadness and anger. With art, I can release all my worries and cares. My art is unusual. I do not copy others. Simply put, I want to paint well. I want to keep growing as an artist and not be pulled down by any negative influences. Painting makes me happy.

My goal is to continue expressing myself and use my imagination to inspire new work. My mission is to continue creating more and more. The theme which I most frequently address in my art is that we are abandoning and devaluing our culture as reflected in wearing our tradional clothing less and less and speaking Spanish rather than our native language, Tzutujil. I also want to communicate that different expressions of youth culture such as grafitti are not only relvant but also a valid and timely means of communication These are the themes I want to communicate. It is something only I can do.

Unfortunately in my country, the authorities don’t recognize or give importance to youth with artistic talent in art and dance and music. The authorities only focus on themselves and push us aside. There are many youth who have talent, but nobody encourages them. As a result most abandon their God given gifts. They take another path and are negatively influenced at which point, nobody can rescue them. If we had the necessary support, we would be able to express ourselves so much more effectively. Nevertheless, we can demonstrate what we can do to the best of our ability. I am doing all right for the time being. I am experimenting and expressing myself more and more and not focusing on anything else.

It is my dream that my work travels far and many people see and appreciate it. I also intend for my art to demonstrate how we are as a culture.