The Intersection of Art and the API Identity | Francis Ochoa
What Is API Heritage Month? The Intersection of Art and the API Identity
Francis Ochoa
A collaboration between White Gallery and PSU’s Cultural Resource Centers
White Gallery is proud to present "The Intersection of Art and the API Identity," a virtual art installation by visual fine art artist, Francis Ochoa.
Curated by Thiên Mui Easland.
Exhibition held virtually in the White Gallery on L+W’s website from May to June 2020.
Exhibition event hosted virtually via Zoom by Francis Ochoa and the PSU Pacific Islander, Asian, and Asian American Center (PIAAA) on May 6, 2020 from 5:00 — 7:00 PM PST/PDT
Artist Bio
Francis Ochoa is a fine artist who often creates paintings with oil paint as his choice of medium. Grounded in realism with a hint of abstract and surrealism, his work aims to blend history and modernity, he is highly influenced by the past masters and movements of art such as the renaissance, baroque and rococo – something that can be seen across all his work. Throughout his work, he aims to present Asian-Americans in classic-like portraits that are reminiscent of paintings found in the past for the reason that they are rarely found in them.
Artist Statement
“Having a voice has always been really important to me. It's important that we as humans retain our ability to be heard, especially in a world that's getting increasingly louder and louder. Being able to say "listen to what I have to say" means everything. Growing up, I've always found it difficult to speak out on things because I was too afraid or too conscious or shy to say what's on my mind. And as someone who is still relatively shy and quiet, art has given me a platform to speak on things that I am passionate about. When I create art, I am able to say exactly what I have to say without muttering a single word. And one of those things that I am passionate about is representation. It's easy to say that it doesn't matter or it doesn't make a difference, but with the classic paintings, when you look at who their subjects were, it always featured European people. So what I wanted to do with my art for Asian-Americans is that when you look at my paintings and you see someone that looks just like you, I wanted to give the impression that they have a place there. That they are just as worthy to have a place in art – something that will still be here even when we are gone.”
~ Francis Ochoa
