Ahorita! Curated by Ever Velasquez
Charlie James Gallery is pleased to present Ahorita!, a group exhibition curated by LA artist Ever Velasquez. “Ahorita” is a Spanish word meaning “right now.” It is used as a form of command suggesting great urgency, appearing at the beginning or the end of sentences, and is likely first experienced by Spanish speakers in childhood, as exclaimed by parents. Just like the cries of our mothers demanding a response, this show exists as a call to action, galvanized by the work of women and non-binary artists. The artists chosen for this show make work that calls attention to many of the foremost issues facing our communities, be they issues that manifest in the lived environment, issues of historical or contemporary cultural representation, or interior-focused issues. Ahorita! is both a call to resilience and a celebration of this ascendant artistic moment which is being defined by impactful women and non-binary artists.
Participating Artists:
Vani Aguilar | @_muneco
Tanya Aguiñiga | @tanyaaguiniga
Estefania Ajcip | @guamomo_steph
Jackie Amézquita | @jackieamezquita
Linda Arreola | @lindaarreolaart
Natalie Ball | @nataliemball
Deanna Barahona | @deannabarahona
Jessica Taylor Bellamy | @jbellzamy
Cindy Bonaparte | @cindybonaparte
Nancy Buchanan | @nbuchananart
Danie Cansino | @daniecansino
Jiayun Chen | @11x111
Patrisse Cullors | @osopepatrisse
Christina Fernandez | @cmfrndz
Verónica Gaona | @vero.gaona.art
Evelyn Quijas Godinez | @magiccconch
Jay Lynn Gomez | @jaylynngeezy
Ruby Gomez | @stoneware.slut
Graciela Iturbide | @gracielaiturbide
Angela Davis Johnson | @angeladjohnson
Mony Kaos | @monykaos
Lady Pink | @ladypinknyc
Francesca Lalanne | @francescalalanneart
Juanita Lanzo | @juanita_lanzo
Tidawhitney Lek | @tidawhitney
Natia Lemay | @natialemayart
Masie Love | @artbymasielove
Carmen Mardónez | @desbordado
Kayla Mattes | @kaylamattes
Sabrina Mendoza Malvalé | @sabrina.mendoza
Lorena Ochoa | @elochoa_
Dalia Palacios | @blissone
Wendy Park | @wendypark_
Adele Renault | @adelerenault
Erika Rothenberg | @erikarothenberg1
Alison Saar | @alison_saar
Shizu Saldamando | @shizutattoo
Michon Sanders | @michonsandersart
Tamara Santibañez | @tamarasantibanez
Sophie Stark | @sophiegstark
Patssi Valdez | @patssi.valdez
Ever Velasquez | @ever.a.k.a.thegirlabouttown
About the Curator:
Ever Velasquez (b. 1981, Los Angeles, CA) is an artist and Santera/Curandera based in Los Angeles. Known for her performative work and for her photo-based and collage works, Ever's practice uses the visual language and history of Yoruba religious culture to explore the legacy of colonialism and its interconnections with indigenous spiritual traditions, with a focus on women’s issues. Ever is a fully initiated crowned priestess of Obatala in the Lucumi religion. Ever’s 2018 solo show Baños in Los Angeles exhibited photo-based works alongside a performance collaboration with LA-based artist rafa esparza. Ever exhibited Baños II in San Pedro, CA in 2019 with a new performance piece at Angels Gate Cultural Center. Ever’s work has been exhibited in group exhibitions including Continuum at Sofi Stadium - part of the Kinsey Collection exhibition, in Raiz at Thinkspace / Tlaloc Studios in Los Angeles, CA, as well as in exhibitions at the Brand Library and Art Center, at Charlie James Gallery, Sovern Los Angeles, the South Gate Museum, and The Museum Of Museums in Seattle, WA. Ever curated the group show Ni de Aqui ni de Alla at Charlie James Gallery in July 2021. In 2022 she curated the much lauded group exhibition Rostro, also at Charlie James. Ever is also a writer and editor of Razorcake, one of the longest-standing and most substantial non-profit punk zines. Ever has facilitated zine-making workshops for LAUSD, Self Help Graphics, and The Huntington Library. Her writings for Razorcake have included cover stories with famous musicians and one of her essays is in the permanent collection of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.