Throughout history, “race” has been considered a controversial and difficult topic. In modern times, groups of worked to understand that every race, ethnicity and culture is something to celebrate and embrace.

This was the spirit of the art exhibition held on Nov. 19 at the Vibrant Event Center with the artist and LHS alumnus Adrian Gazcon. Due to his deep passion for art and his pride in his Latino heritage, a powerful sense of community and mutual respect was on display.

“It was very multicultural,” Matt Swisher, the owner of Vibrant Event Center, said. “It brought a lot of people together.”

A diverse crowd, from various ethnic backgrounds came together, all gathered to enjoy the art of a single artist.

“I’m really happy that the community turnout was good,” LJHS history teacher Alexander Phommakhot, a friend of Gazcon, said. “A lot of people came out to support him — friends, family and even strangers. I’m just overall proud. This is something he’s been working on for literally years. Seeing him doing something he is passionate about, something he can showcase to the people he loves is absolutely amazing.”

A significant part of Gazcon’s passion stems from the powerful symbolism woven into his artwork. The pieces he showcased included symbols such as El Acordeón, La Virgen De Guadalupe, and a portrait of his father, Juventino Gazcon, who was a worker at Tyson. Each of these elements reflects deeper, culturally rich themes, like the influence of Catholicism in Latin America, the integral role of music in Latino culture (with the Acordeón being a staple), and the hardworking nature of young immigrant families, where factory work is often a necessity for survival.

“This is basically inspired by the acordeón,” Gazcon said. “To me, it’s inspired by cumbias, which are accordion-heavy Spanish songs. It’s kind of like a self-portrait because I love the music. I feel like this holds a lot of significance in Hispanic culture, especially Chicano culture, Mexican-American culture.”

As a Mexican-American with immigrant parents, Gazcon’s background is an integral part of his identity and influences his art. He blends his heritage with modern artistic touches in his abstract pieces, using his cultural identity as both a foundation and a canvas. This is especially evident in his piece “La Virgen De Guadalupe.”

“If you come from the same culture, you automatically know where I’m coming from,” Gazcon said. “People who grew up like me will see this and feel a connection to it. Since I grew up Catholic, this piece means a lot to me. I knew when I created it, it had to be special. The inspiration behind it was to bring together the past, present, and future. Before La Virgen De Guadalupe was created, she was an Aztec goddess. Then, when the conquistadors came to Mexico, they converted that deity into La Virgen De Guadalupe.”

Gazcon’s art tells many stories, but the most personal and profound story is that of his father. So much so, he created a larger-than-life portrait of Juventino Gazcon, a piece that speaks about the struggles and dreams of any Mexican-American.

“It’s referencing the Statue of Liberty,” Gazcon said. “It represents immigration and the people who came here to build this country.

He’s wearing his work clothes, which represent a hardworking man and the good he and his coworkers at Tyson do for this community. You have the monarch butterflies, which represent migration. Those specific butterflies come from Michoacán, which is where my dad is from. Then on the torch, I referenced the Indiana flag, so you have all these butterflies leading up to and wrapping around a light.”

This powerful piece beautifully honors Gazcon’s father’s roots in Michoacán, his 25 years of hard work at Tyson, and the lives of thousands of Mexican-Americans who share similar experiences. Thanks to the work of his father, Gazcon was able to pursue his passion for art.

“I feel proud that he would paint me,” Juventino Gazcon said. “I was left stunned. I even felt like crying because I am so, so proud of him.” (Translated from Spanish by Cesar Martin-Acosta.)

Gazcon’s mother encapsulates his impact on today’s youth with these words.

“He is an inspiration to all youth,” she said. “At times you may think that you cannot achieve something because you are afraid that there will not be a result, but he is proud that he is inspiring young people that if you have a dream, it is worth the sacrifice and you can achieve it.” (Translated from Spanish by Cesar Martin-Acosta.)

Adrian Gazcon’s work continues to grow as he constantly works on new pieces and prepares for new events where he can bring people together, spread the love of his culture, and inspire more individuals to follow their dreams, just as he has.

“On Jan. 3, Mistysio the DJ will be performing live while Adrian does a live painting on stage at Bonus Pints,” Swisher said. “It’s for all ages, so come on down and vibe.”

This story was originally published on LHS Magpie on November 26, 2024.