Christian Trasvina-galvez
May 2008 Artist of the Month
VSA arts of California is honored to showcase Christian Trasvina-Galvez as a featured artist. Christian, who passed away in March 2007 at the age of 18, created a sizable body of artwork which has been on display at the Corcker Art Museum, Bonner David Galleries, New Artworks Gallery, Phoenix Gallery, JayJay Gallery, and b. Sakata Garo Gallery. The following article published in August 2004 tells a part of Christian's story:
When Christian Trasvina-Galvez wants to relax and forget the world, he gently glides a paintbrush against a canvas to create a magnitude of colors.
With each stroke, he learns how to move beyond boundaries in his life, he said.
The 15-year-old resident of Tecate, Mexico, is a quadriplegic and patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California in Sacramento. He said he doesn't have the use of a steady hand, so he uses his mouth to hold the brush.
Last week, Trasvina-Galvez saw his art on public display for the first time at The New Artworks Gallery in Fair Oaks. His piece, "Al Estilo De Cezanne: Casa Del Monte" ("In the Style of Cezanne: House of the Mountain"), won honorable mention in an open show at the gallery that ends today.
Trasvina-Galvez's work was selected among 150 applicants vying to participate in the show titled "A Celebration of Spirit" and is among 60 featured. Organizers said the applicants' names were not revealed during the contest and that the young artist's work was judged on merit alone.
"He should be very proud," said Mary Louise Mock, a gallery member who helped organize theshow. She described Trasvina-Galvez's acrylic painting as having brilliant colors, good placement and "not like what you would normally see."
On Wednesday, the teenager was applauded at the gallery by fellow artists, friends, family and supporters at Shriners, where he takes an art class.
"I'm nervous, because there are so many people watching me," Trasvina-Galvez said as people took pictures of him and his work.
The teenager, who is described by friends as somewhat shy, said he has been painting only two months. He started the hobby when he enrolled in a program at the hospital provided by Very Special Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to making art accessible to young people with disabilities.
Trasvina-Galvez said he has limited mobility of his arms and has been unable to move his lower body since he was shot in the neck about 1 1/2 years ago. He said he was at a party when the ncident occurred.
Since then, he has been undergoing therapy and learning what he can and can't do because of his condition. His art teacher, Katherine Lemke Waste, said although there are a lot of "can'ts" in his life, art has allowed Trasvina-Galvez to discover his talent rather than focus on his disability.
"All I have to do is explain something just once, and he gets it and puts it into his work," Waste said. "He's just an amazing artist, and he has an amazing eye."
Waste said Trasvina-Galvez's work also will be featured at the Bonner David Galleries in Scottsdale, Ariz., as part of a national show for disabled artists. Trasvina-Galvez's grandmother, Lourdes Trasvina, said his family is proud of his achievements and will encourage him to continue painting.
"For whatever reason, whatever happened, it was meant to be," Trasvina said of the shooting. "It could be something that was for the good." Trasvina-Galvez said he is considering art as a profession. "I like painting, but in Mexico it's difficult because it's so expensive," Trasvina-Galvez said.
The New Artworks Gallery, a collective of about 25 local artists, has committed to providing the young artist with supplies when he returns home next month.
"A Window Opens"
Written by Lakeisha McGhee
The Sacramento Bee
August 2, 2004
