COMMUNITY PROFILE COMMUNITY PROFILE “Abstract Expressionism is what I call my work now,” Rael said. “My hands are starting to hurt; the arthritis is pretty bad in them now. I can’t do the real small stuff like I used to. I can’t do the fine detail. So now, it’s a little bit more of a loose approach in form.” Today, Rael holds the brush loosely, moving in swooping gestures to create representational forms. He uses a kaleidoscope of colors and Native designs to depict the historical Southwest. Some paintings include Native men and women beside white cowboys moving together. The paintings never depict violence. They are about community, even communities at odds with one another. Rael said he seeks to depict communal suffering tied to hope. “You could pretty much say that my work is about the relationship between a conqueror and the conquered. We’re all caught up between those two dualities. My artwork speaks to that in some way, and sometimes, I don’t know the answer,” Rael said. Rael finds inspiration in his grandfather, the Colorado land rights advocate Apolinar Rael, who participated in the lawsuits against the Taylor Ranch in the San Luis Valley. The nearly 80,000 acres of land had been promised as a communal and economic resource to the Native and Chicano farmers and ranchers when the land was granted to the United States from Mexico in 1844. In 1960, Jack Taylor bought the land and closed it to those who had been guaranteed access. The Colorado Supreme Court restored access to the ranch following nearly 40 years of lawsuits. “My grandfather took Jack Taylor to the Supreme Court. And so on his gravestone, there are a couple of horses and it says something to the effect that, ‘He dared to dream and that his dream, someday, would come true.’ That means so much to me and I think about it often,” Rael said. Dreaming is an important aspect of understanding the broader world for Rael. It helps him connect to something bigger. “I do get a lot of visions. And a lot of my dreams are about pain in that culture, in my people, and pain today. And so, it’s only fitting that I do this kind of work,” Rael said. According to Rael, he does not see his work as divisive. He hears from people of all backgrounds how meaningful they find his art, and he tries to make it inviting and open to all. Rael hopes his paintings bring people to see that suffering is communal and that suffering in one community predicts suffering for other communities. “We aren’t the only people suffering,” Rael said. “White people, all people are suffering. The same greedy powers that took from the Native community are taking from all people and hurting us all today. It’s all about standing up and speaking for the people through the artwork.” But Rael is pleased if someone looks at his art and sees a beautiful painting of Native Americans and cowboys traversing the landscape of his people. ■ Need to get rid of your car, truck, or motorcycle? Consider donating it to Denver VOICE. Call (855) 500-7433, or go to: careasy.org/nonprofi t/denver-voice. Your donation helps Denver VOICE succeed in its mission to provide individuals experiencing homelessness or poverty the chance towards a more stable life. DONATE YOUR CAR! CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! CREDIT: GILES CLASEN CREDIT: GILES CLASEN The Denver VOICE is gearing up for an exciting – and busy! – summer. We need volunteers to help us represent the Denver VOICE at events like PrideFest and Dragon Boat Festival, and to help us run open houses at the offi ce during the First Friday Art Walks. If you’re interested in volunteering for events like this, scan the QR code above, or contact our Program Director Connie Gaitan at progam@denvervoice.org. CREDIT: GILES CLASEN July 2024 DENVER VOICE 9
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