Jorge Gomez-Gonzalez
Artist Statement
Jorge Gomez-Gonzalez explores the topics of intergenerational trauma, gender queerness, being gay, and the intersectionality of these topics with being a person of color. Gomez-Gonzalez deploys their artwork as an act of resistance and healing through collaborating with their brother, Emmanuel Gomez, to recreate a traditional Mexican terracotta piñata from their childhood. The piñata is an acknowledgement of their family’s trauma but also the trauma they have both faced individually. On their own, Gomez-Gonzalez carried the heavy burden of being the only openly gay kid in their middle school, on top of learning about moments in history like the Chicano/@/x blowouts, the senseless murder of Emitt Till, the countless lynchings of Mexicans by Texas rangers, and many more senseless acts. These major events in history not only gave Gomez-Gonzalez a sense of purpose, but also added to the burden of not being able to ignore racism, homophobia and other injustices in this world. As an artist and individual, Gomez-Gonzalez refuses to keep their head down when racism and other injustices are present in their community. When faced with these challenges, Gomez-Gonzalez holds their head up high while standing in their own power, laughs at their own trauma, speaks truth to power, and finds beauty within their own resiliency.
Sin Pelos En La Lengua:
Jorge Gomez-Gonzalez explora el trauma intergeneracional, genero queer, ser gay, y las intersectoriales de ser una persona de color. El trabajo de Gomez-Gonzalez son unos actos de resistencia y de curacion con collaboration con su hermano, Emmanuel Gomez, para recrear una Piñata de barro de sus infancia. La piñata es un reconocimiento del trauma ancestral y del trauma que los dos han tenido individualmente. Solo, Gomez-Gonzalez experiencia la carga de su niñez siendo el unico niño abiertamente gay en la primaria. Tambien con el aprendiendo sobre momentos de historia como los Chican@/x blowouts, el assesinato de Emitt Till, los linchamientos de Mexicanos por Texas rangers y otros momentos horribles agregaron a la carga de su infancia. Estos momentos de historia le dieron un proposito a Gomez-Gonzalez pero le pusieron mas peso de no poder ignorar el racismo, la homofobia y otras injusticias en este mundo. Como persona y artista, Gomez-Gonzalez mantiene la frente en alto, se rie de sus desgracias, y encuentra la belleza en su propia resiliencia.
Instagram: @jorge.gomez_gonzalez
Website: jorge-gomez-gonzalez.com