The American painter, Storm Cloud, of Tarahumara origin, has become an icon of the new Chicano art in Los Angeles, California, which combines Rarámuri pre-Hispanic art with the aesthetic and social discontent of Mexican-American cholos.
Jaime Chávez, better known as Storm Cloud, is a recognized painter in the United States of America, specifically in Los Angeles, California, for his unique combination of artistic styles: Chicano, while also showcasing the roots of his Tarahumara origins.
Jaime descends from a Rarámuri family from Chihuahua that has been residing in the Echo Park neighborhood for over 70 years in Los Angeles, California, for over 70 years. This situation has allowed them to firsthand experience the changes that have occurred in the city, primarily focusing on gentrification, which is a central theme in his works.
“Neither from here, nor from there,” Storm Cloud embraces his dichotomy
Jaime describes himself as “a city Indian who seemingly lives among a diverse group of punks, vatos, and Aztec gods.” The artist embraced the dichotomy of not belonging here or there. He learned to accept both his indigenous Tarahumara culture and the modern culture of Los Angeles in which he lives.
This connection with his indigenous roots is the hallmark of his art, as he reinterprets the iconography of Ancient Mexico influenced by Mexica, Wixárika, Maya, and Rarámuri traditions. In addition to the idea of Aztlán, which is a constant symbol used by the Chicano Movement that refers to the unification of Mexican-Americans under a term of shared land and culture, regardless of where they are located.
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Storm Cloud’s art school
He completed his academic training at the Art Center College of Design, located in Pasadena, California. However, Jaime attributes much of his artistic ability to the teachings of his father, who was a talented illustrator. He also mentions that his art is influenced by figures like the talented Chicano painter Magu Luján, whom he had the opportunity to meet in his youth. He mentions that Magu left an indelible mark on his artistic journey.
His work also stands out for being minimalist and revealing, encompassing themes such as the displacement of families, businesses, and land claims, as well as civil rights in a peaceful manner, illustrating the the historical presence of Mexicans and indigenous peoples in the United States and portraying them as part of the population of this country.
The faces of the characters in his paintings
The gods and mythological beings from various cultures are the faces that can be recognized in his paintings, including:
- Huehuecóyotl: De origen mexica considerado el dios de las artes, señor de la música y de la danza ceremonial, guía de la adultez y de la adolescencia.
- Balam: Mayan spirits tasked with protecting villages and cornfields, taking the form of a jaguar.
- Tonantzin: of Mexica origin, considered the goddess of health, lady of motherhood and agriculture, as well as the mother of all gods.
Chávez mentions that these characters are alter egos or masks for his “subjects,” who are generally people from his family or his close circle of friends.
Storm Cloud, through his work, creates a bridge between his indigenous roots and the urban environment he interacts with daily, as well as a connection between Pre-Hispanic Mexico and the present day, creating a space where tradition and contemporaneity intersectsomething unique that can be found in the art of this style.
