By Ruth Cuevas
This month, the walls of the first level of the Harold B. Lee library display the bright paintings of Ruby Chac?n, a well-known painter from Salt Lake City.
The 'La Gente' exhibit, which includes Chac?n''s artist statement, has been on display since Sept. 15, 2003 as part of National Hispanic Month.
'More than a thousand years ago I had ancestors that came through southern Utah and scribed their tales on the red rock walls,' Chac?n wrote in her artist statement. 'It was their way of saying, ''this is who we are, this is how we live, and this is what we fear.'' They left their stories for others to see, but more importantly, for themselves to see.'
Some of the paintings on display include, 'Remembering Orlando Chac?n,' 'Ritual,' 'My Great Grandparents,' 'El Pastor,' 'Homage to mi Madre,' 'Mujer,' 'Chica,' and 'Oaxagiena.' Several of the paintings depict her family, while others depict Hispanic culture.
Chac?n has always possessed a talent for drawing. As a child she enjoyed drawing, especially faces, and did it often. She believes her talent for painting developed there, she said.
While in high school, Chac?n completed one of her first paintings, but it wasn''t until seven years ago that Chac?n said she began to really pursue a career in art.
'When I took it seriously was when my nephew died,' she said. 'I think before that I used to take it for granted.'
Since then, Chac?n has made paintings for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and for other events across the country. Her display in the library includes some of these paintings. Most recently she has also expanded her market to include Los Angeles, which has a large market for Chicano paintings.
Fine arts librarian Chris Ramsey has received many positive phone calls and notes about the exhibit.
'Everyone loves it, students, faculty and visitors,' Ramsey said. 'I think it''s because she paints people, and we are always interested in people.'
Sean Reed, a psychology major, from Aurora, Colo., recently visited the exhibit.
'I think it''s a really good display of emotions,' Reed said. 'It''s like Monet meets Mexico. She uses so many different dimensions that it gives it a more vivid feeling.'