Y Gallery is pleased to present Peruvian, Montreal based artist, Jesus Bejar, who creates fusions between ancient traditions of his native land with contemporary universal codes.

The celebration of Easter in the deeply catholic city of Tarma, where Bejar was born, is a tradition that commemorates the “Passion of Christ” in the first week of April. Decorating all the streets of the city with so-called “flower carpet” consisting of geometric motifs and figurative representations. All inhabitants are involved in the process of creating these carpets before being spectators and in which then parade on these “flower carpets” and destroy them, making their work ephemeral and immensely ritualistic.

Jesus Bejar introduces Peruvian tradition to the U.S and simultaneously places his work within contemporary issues and distant from Catholic rituals. For this effect, Bejar uses the “carpet” as grounds for designs that symbolize current issues related to war and consumption through bar codes, logos brands, photojournalism and several symbols of western culture. Artificial flowers are chosen to unfold drawings, photographs and collages while creating a set where the installation can be read as a chronicle of a wanderer documenting his experiences while traveling.

We believe that this exhibition is relevant within the context of New York City, where many immigrants preserve religion from their country of origin as a symbol of confrontation with new reality. Though often, throughout time their religion is modified so it can survive within them.

Bejar Jesus was born in Tarma, Peru. He works with different media and performances since 1988. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions in Peru and Canada. “Jesus is Alive” is his ninth solo exhibition. He lives and works in Montreal.