Sonde{a}r
"Sonder" is a term that describes the profound realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own. On the other hand, "Sondear" in Spanish means to investigate or inquire; often used to explore the depths of actions, emotions, thoughts, or the unknown. In this body of work I delve deeper into the concept of sonder by reflecting on the notion of genetic memory and the inherited emotional weight that each individual carries from their lineage.
Each figure in my paintings not only represents a unique individual, but also carries with them the echoes of generations past and the whispers of ancestors woven into the fabric of their being. The canoe, a symbol of journey and discovery, serves as a metaphor for the process of searching, and for the familial vessel we inherit without a map or guide as to how to steer it. Just as we all navigate the vast waters of existence in our allegorical canoes, we also navigate the currents of the shared memories and complexities of our familial and ancestral histories. In that, we may find lessons to help us direct the vessel towards a calmer horizon.
Through these works, I invite viewers to contemplate the interconnectedness of past, present, and future by recognizing the impact of ancestral heritage on our lives today. Each piece serves as a reminder of the emotional journeys of those who came before us and the responsibility we carry to honor their experiences as we each direct our shift on this generational voyage.
IVAN MONTOYA
Ivan Montoya (b. Chihuahua, Mexico, 1995) is a Detroit-based painter and muralist. He creates paintings that express the Mexican-American diaspora through folkloric symbolism. In his Mural work, Montoya is motivated by creating murals that can inspire wonder, a sense of collective grandeur, and paying homage to a history of a space - even beyond its inhabitancy.
He earned his Bachelor of Fine Art from the College for Creative Studies in 2017 and received the Imre J. Molnar Artistic Achievement Award, appointing him as merit-based valedictorian. He is a recipient of the 2022 Emerging Artist Fellowship supported by the Knight Foundation.
Ivan has worked as a painter and muralist, partnering with clients including Bedrock, Coca-Cola, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Rocket Central, Mckinsey & Co, 1x Run, City of Indio, CA and City of Detroit. Ivan has been featured by New American Paintings, Seen Magazine, Detroit Art Review, Spectrum, 3x3 Mag and The Society of Illustrators, and has work in the Guillermo Del Toro Bleak House Collection.
