My name is Joselyn Chimbo, I come from a Hispanic community in Queens, NY. I want to study at the Art Students League to master my work and express myself as an artist. I am drawn towards art that represents my Ecuadorian background, as there is little art from my culture that is exposed to the public. It is a small country in South America and is usually overshadowed by more widely traveled countries nearby. I feel that the Art Students League will help me progress because of its amazing atmosphere of talented artists. I visited the student gallery and was impressed and inspired by everyone’s work.
“I hope to experiment with different mediums to understand which tools will allow me to best communicate my message and create a visual connection with the viewer.”
I want to be able to teach others about the importance of visual art. The arts are not only an outlet for self-expression, but also a tool for coping with life’s challenges. Art classes are not always easily accessible to all; in my experience I try to apply where I can and make the most of my situation. I want to constantly grow and improve as an artist because there is always room to learn. In learning environments, I often ask many questions because I want to be able to understand to the fullest. While making art for me is very personal and therapeutic, one day I hope to share my art with a larger audience. I hope to experiment with different mediums to understand which tools will allow me to best communicate my message and create a visual connection with the viewer.
Oswaldo Guayasamín is a famous Ecuadorian artist who has influenced my artistic practice and ideas around art. His influence was always present in my life because my family has his work in our home, and its available throughout the street markets in Ecuador. I love that his work exposes the current problems in our country, and that this is what drives his choice to be a painter. His work “Tears of Blood” revolves around the theme of suffering of the indigenous people of Ecuador. My father would tell me about his work and the history of our country because our family comes from indigenous Ecuadorians who spoke Quechua. Historically, speaking Quechua has been looked down upon, and many indigenous people were stripped of their land and taken advantage of by those with more power. I hope to one day be able to impact people as much as Oswaldo Guayasamín has.
LaGuardia High School
Ecuadorian
