Exploring "To Perceive Together": An Artistic Journey at the 11th Annual Art d’Core Gala

Posted by Janel Garza on

In March 2024, I had the privilege of showcasing my latest work, "To Perceive Together," at the 11th annual Art d’Core Gala, hosted by Artlink at The Phoenix Art Museum. Each year, Artlink's board members select 10 artists to create unique installations for the Gala, and this year, I was honored to collaborate with the visionary fashion designer Ruby Farias.

Our concept for the event was to integrate my mural-sized painting into Ruby's fashion designs, resulting in a dynamic fusion of visual art and couture. Given the constraints of the venue—where wall installations were not permitted and setup time was limited—I innovated by creating the painting on portable room dividers. This approach allowed for a lightweight, mobile mural that could be adapted to the space.

Inspired by the Gala’s theme, "Panorama," the painting reflects the expansive beauty of the Southwest landscape through an abstract lens. Over 100 hours were dedicated to crafting "To Perceive Together," an 18' x 6' painting that stood as a centerpiece among the Gala’s distinguished guests.

Ruby incorporated elements of the painting into her one-of-a-kind fashion pieces, transforming models into moving extensions of the artwork. This seamless integration of art and fashion created a vibrant and immersive experience for attendees.

Though the installation was featured for just one evening at the museum, "To Perceive Together” has had the opportunity to inhabit several beautiful spaces, owing to its mobile nature. It is currently on display at Cosme in Tucson, AZ and I am seeking a permanent home for this unique artwork. For inquiries about purchasing or viewing "To Perceive Together," please visit my contact page in the menu.

Thank you for exploring this artistic journey with me. Stay tuned for more updates on future projects and exhibitions!