Venus is a representation of a woman’s beauty, usually as a slender, naked body with her eyes fixated on the viewer. There is a drawing of Venus in the Art Gallery that is very unconventional; she is an overweight Hispanic, mermaid-like depiction of Venus. She is one of many works featured in artist J. Michael Walker’s show called, “Vivan Las Mujeres.”
“I just use real women, my work is a celebration of the women; women have been an important influence on my art and my life,” Walker said.
“Vivan Las Mujeres” though is more than a exhibit celebrating women. At its heart, it is a celebration of culture, in particular, Walker’s immersion in Hispanic culture. Although Walker is not of Hispanic descent.He considers himself Mexican-American after spending some years in Mexico where he met his wife.
“To be a whole different nationality and tell their story is incredible, and extremely compassionate,” Sherie Bellows, 35, English major said.
Looking at many of the different portraits, most of them using penciling, there is a wide assortment of artworks, each telling a different story about women and culture. All his work is based on women he knows from his extended family and friends, and is why none of the women in his paintings look like models.
“I think the Gallery is a great asset to our campus,” Ali Ahmadpour, Art History professor, said. “I’ve known him (Walker) for a long time and he is one of the best in Los Angeles, he uses very unique subject matter that correlates to Latino culture.”
Walker was invited to EC to show his work after Sussanna Meiers, curator of the Art Gallery, met with Walker through Ahmadpour and visited his studio. She also asked that Walker bring in some of his “inspirations,” which were little items that inspired Walker through the course of his artwork.
Walker strolled about the gallery, stopping to take pictures for people there to view his work and even taking the time out to discuss his artwork.
In a hidden corridor of the gallery are a few of his more spiritual works that depict the history of Los Angeles streets named after saints. The room conveys no sense of Christianity or Catholicism, but more of a spirituality that Walker, seems to carry.
Walker speaks about how women and the Hispanic culture deeply influence him and how he tries to create images of women that women like by capturing their inner beauty to show their outer beauty. He then speaks of how a young woman was so moved by his work because it depicted the very women and culture she knows in her life.
“I heard a really wonderful comment, one Chicana was in tears seeing a celebration of her heritage,” Walker said.
“Vivan Las Mujeres” is currently on display in the Art Gallery through Oct. 31.
