Filo Sofi Arts is thrilled to present "Crafting Visions," a mixed media exhibition featuring the works of five Latinx artists with deep Chicago ties. In this exhibition Elvia Carreon, Haylie Jimenez, Juan Arango Palacios, Jonathan Herrera Soto, and Moises Salazar Tlatenchi delve into the intersection of Latin American craft traditions, queer narratives, and religious symbology through the passing down of craft traditions and experimental approaches to materials. The exhibition offers an exploration of cultural heritage, identity, spirituality, and artistic innovation.
"Crafting Visions" was first conceived as a philosophical workshop at Chicago’s Jane Addams Hull House Museum in collaboration with the 2023 John Dewey Society conference where curator Gabrielle Aruta, and artist Moises Salazar Tlatenchi were invited to give presentations for this years presidential symposium on the topic of “The Arts as the Site of Social Reconstruction.” In this spirit, the exhibition presents a selection of artwork that challenges conventions and sparks meaningful conversations about reconstructing ideas of craft, gender, and religious symbolism within the intricate tapestry of Latinx experiences and artistic production in Chicago. These artists skillfully navigate the dynamic landscape of Latin American craft traditions while critically examining the concepts of hybridity and resistance and its profound impact on cultural heritage and creative expression.
Drawing upon a diverse range of artistic practices such as ceramics, painting, weaving and tufting, each artist brings forth a distinct vision and artistic voice. They honor connections to ancestral knowledge and celebrate the interconnectedness of communities.
The participating artists, all connected to Chicago by birth or education at SAIC, have been selected for their dedication to exploring the complexities of Latinx identities. Through their artwork, they challenge existing norms, question societal constructs, and celebrate the vibrant and diverse cultural heritage of Latin America.
Within the context of this exhibition, the artists also engage with religious symbology, using potent symbols and iconography to explore themes of spirituality, gender, sexuality, and cultural identity. By weaving these elements into their artistic narratives, they invite viewers to contemplate the transformative power of faith, ritual, resistance and ancestral connections.
