Brazilian artist, Jonas Dos Santos, is the features artist now at Goggle Works Center for the Arts. Jonas is a visual activist, using art as a venue for ecological education. For over thirty years, he has incorporated the application of recycled materials in a variety of genres such as performances, installations, murals, paintings, drawings, and sculpture. Jonas uses material traditionally discarded by most people. He has been known to use mattress stuffing, cardboard, computer parts, and a wide variety of societal waste to create the most beautiful and unusual pieces of art. Pictured here is Jonas holding a pair of old shoes refurbished with everyday cardboard to make a stunning pair of fashionable high-heels.
Jonas explained that his artwork is part of a tradition which began forty years ago, which is just now being appreciated for its value in our struggle to sustain an ecologically balanced world. “We cannot continue to be a throwaway society, we must utilize everything. Art is a perfect avenue for ecological intervention,” states Jonas.
Jonas went on to say that art is also a venue to get people together. “It is a means by which to take down barriers.” Jonas views his work and interactions with communities as a way to build relationships and “demystify cultural misconceptions.”
Jonas is an ‘artist in residency’, which means he will be living and working collaboratively with local residents in our community. He and his work are available to the public from now until October 12th at Google Works Art Center located at 201 Washington Street in Reading. He will be hosting an afterschool program and presenting free demonstrations for the duration of his stay. For more information contact Shannon Slattery at 610-374-4600.
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