‘Telling’ Stories: Ray Gonzales at Axis Gallery
“What if Arneson were brown like me?”
On the tenth of June in 2017 I took the train from Oakland to Sacramento, a longtime favorite route for me. Rain was falling, an unusual event lately, as we wound through the marshlands and behind the sugar cane factory. The cars were full, and people were talkative, laughing and joking with strangers. I recognized five spoken languages, received a gift of tacos and some cookies, and had ample time to think about the way common struggle in California has shaped our recent history. It is important, essential, that we stand together. For this to have lasting results, we first need to understand our history, and the work of artist Ray Gonzales is a torch held high for that understanding.
Ray Gonzales’ solo exhibition, gives us powerful images, beautifully executed work and a strong personal narrative, that is as long as the artist’s own rich history. The artwork was accompanied by a booklet of stories about each piece written by the artist. Generally, the narrative quality of sculpture does not require didactic materials, but here, the personal reflections and philosophy of the artist are written in a strongly individual, mature voice, a full partner to the exhibition. I have included his critical insights in my
