We are honored to introduce our recipient for this years Brannon Curiel Visual Arts Scholarship: Jerardo Garcia. Jerardo is a student at Wichita State University. When asked to describe his favorite piece, he explained:
“The pieces in the series represent this nurturing aspect of parents and the toll they take on for their children. My siblings and I are also close as we find comfort and solace with one another, sharing the challenges of being first-generation immigrants and college students. The stronger the bond with your family the harder it is to let go and this is what my favorite piece in the series is about. The series consists of five photograms depicting paper cranes. Birds are symbols of freedom, which is what immigrant parents fight for to give to their children. That freedom to succeed and flourish in life by having access to better opportunities. The photograms in the series are ambiguous in what order to read them with the exception of the final piece. This photogram depicts a paper crane flying high above a wetland’s biome with the text “See You Later!” in the bottom left. Photograms burn the silhouettes of objects onto silver gelatin paper, which flattens dimensions, but I strived to create a three-dimensional perspective in it. This piece depicts that painful step of moving on or saying goodbye to the people you love and confide in. The crane must take that freedom that was given to it and use it to find its own path. The organic formations of the back mimic the bodies of water in wetlands, the habitat of cranes. With my recent transfer to Wichita State University, I moved into the dorms which meant moving away from the family I had lived with every day of my life until now. It was a difficult step that left me and my mother emotional. Despite having to say goodbye, the piece also acts as a piece of hope and reassurance by highlighting the fact that a goodbye is never permanent. The text implies an inevitable return with the “Later” instead of an irrevocable farewell. The composition itself was meant to mimic a postcard, an item that represents a connection to loved ones despite being apart. Love comes and goes in many ways and this piece embodies that fleeting sensation. You can say goodbye to your parents and siblings as you move from home or for times that will never be again. You can also say goodbye to family when they inevitably pass away. No matter what you say goodbye to, that strong love will always return you to them. Seeing your siblings again during holidays, revisiting your parents on their birthday, or by memories after they have passed. You will see them again in some form or another.”
We are honored to award this scholarship to Jerardo and can’t wait to watch how he continues to grow as an artist.
