Downtown, Los Angeles
Group Exhibition
Cosecha
Charlie James GalleryEva Aguila, Miguel Arzabe, Rachid Bouhamidi, Jay Bell, Camila Buxeda, Andrea Castillo, Salvador de la Torre, Oscar Eduardo de Paz, Tristan Esmino, Sharif Farrag, Rubén Esparza, Daniela García Hamilton, Melissa Govea, Patrick Dean Hubbell, Kristen Huizar, Sierra Love, Álvaro D. Márquez, José Galván Martínez, James McClung, Angela Anh Nguyen, Lorena Ochoa, Cruz Ortiz, Chuy Peñaloza, Andrew Pequeño, Raymundo Tonatiuh Reynoso, Colin Roberts, Carlos Rolón, KristoWerson San Pablo, José Guadalupe Sánchez III, Eilen Itzel do Espirito Santo, Hedy Torres, Michael The Khoi Tran, Estéban Whiteside, Shingo Yamazaki Charlie James Gallery is pleased to present Cosecha, a group show honoring the resilience and power that grows from cultivating community from the seeds of adversity, of looking to each other and recognizing the flourishing that is possible within each individual. The works in Consecha all deal with the idea of labor, and specifically the immigrant and working- class labor that is foundational to our economic ecosystem. These artists explore the branching connections between labor, immigration, and the economy that lead to specific experiences of immigrant life. Often, the works reflect a tendency to romanticize obstacles in order to survive, following the old proverb of reaping what you sow. Despite the often-dire circumstances of the present moment—ICE raids, wars, kidnappings—Consecha gathers artists who choose to wake up every morning and thrive by being in community with one another, recognizing the land as it flourishes, and resisting systems of oppression. Ever Velasquez (b. Los Angeles, CA) is an artist, curator and Santeria/ 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 an 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 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 has curated an annual group show at Charlie James Gallery since 2021. 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. Ever is a director of Charlie James Gallery.