Jose Arenivar-Gomez - "Lightweight"
2018, 13” x 12” x 6”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Mixed Media, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed, Non-ceramic
2018, 13” x 12” x 6”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Mixed Media, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed, Non-ceramic
Jose Arenivar-Gomez - "Here lies Happiness"
2018, 14” x 12” x 6”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Mixed Media, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed, Non-ceramic
2018, 14” x 12” x 6”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Mixed Media, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed, Non-ceramic
Jose Arenivar-Gomez - "Love Letters"
2018, 12” x 12” x 6”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Mixed Media, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed
2018, 12” x 12” x 6”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Mixed Media, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed
Jose Arenivar-Gomez - "There there"
2019, 13” x 12” x 8”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed
2019, 13” x 12” x 8”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed
Jose Arenivar-Gomez - "Lone"
2019, 13” x 12” x 8” , Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed, Oxide
2019, 13” x 12” x 8” , Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed, Oxide
Jose Arenivar-Gomez - "Nada es como Antes"
2019, 12.5” x 10” x 4.5”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed, Non-ceramic
2019, 12.5” x 10” x 4.5”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed, Non-ceramic
Jose Arenivar-Gomez - "But we Clicked…"
2019, 9” x 10.5” x 4”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed, Non-ceramic
Glitter spray paint was used on the surface treatment of the top section of this sculpture.
2019, 9” x 10.5” x 4”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed, Non-ceramic
Glitter spray paint was used on the surface treatment of the top section of this sculpture.
Jose Arenivar-Gomez - "Gentle"
2019, 27” x 12” x 12”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed
2019, 27” x 12” x 12”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed
Jose Arenivar-Gomez - "Pinkish"
2019, 15.5” x 9” x 7”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed
2019, 15.5” x 9” x 7”, Media: Earthenware / Terracotta, Firing Process: Electric, Low-fire, Surface: Glazed
Jose Arenivar-Gomez - "Coming Through"
Artist Statement
My work is an allegory of self-acceptance. I hand-build rabbit-like creatures, often adding long, phallic necks and/or a second pair of ears to symbolize openness and vulnerability. The rabbit serves as a symbol of the strength that comes from embracing fragility; something that is often seen as weakness but can be a source of resilience. My ceramic sculptures reflect my experiences as a gay Mexican ceramic artist, exploring themes of sexuality, desire, alienation, depression, and compassion. Each piece is an exploration of identity and self-discovery, confronting the tension between softness and strength.
My creature’s form, playful yet strange, reflects the complexities of navigating queerness and cultural identity. I work primarily with clay because of its physical qualities and its ability to transform through touch. I connect the process of handbuilding with clay to the process of building and understanding identity, as both involve layering and shaping. The process the medium goes through, from a soft material to semi-permanent objects, can be seen as an analogy to what people go through in the process of defining themselves.
Bio
Jose Arenivar-Gomez is a Mexican ceramics artist and educator based in Metro Detroit. Born and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, he immigrated to Las Cruces, NM, in 2007 to pursue higher education at New Mexico State University. Jose earned his BFA in Drawing and Ceramics in 2015 and his MFA in Ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2018. His work has been exhibited nationally in venues such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, David Salkin Creative, and Cranbrook Art Museum.