Empire Seven Studios launched their first artist in residence program for the LinkedIn campus in Sunnyvale California. Artist Jaque Fragua created a mural of hope in Silicon Valley; the tech capitol of the world.
Fragua connects to ancestral energy, creating sacred murals with symbols, textiles, designs, prayer and motifs that represent indigenous stories in our contemporary times. A unique experience was commissioned to launch the return back to work. Our team's expertise beyond murals are lifelong experiences with people in the process of creating art. If we sign up for the work it's because our partners have given thought to equity, inclusion, and most importantly freedom of expression.
Collaborating with partners that understand our vision is our strength and in return we strive to produce the best work. LinkedIn Design and Build worked closely with our art firm to curate an experience employees would resonate with. Through our process and business developing strategies, we prepared to navigate interaction with hundreds of employees in one week to produce a mural. Due to the second wave of the pandemic we decided to cancel the event.
Moving forward was the only way and it was decided that the design was to be solely completed by Fragua and his assistants. Patterns weave intentional with the juxtaposition of architectural post design and deck railings that weave quilted patterns through the trail of linear steel cables, aluminum and wood. The wall provides white negative spaces balancing the amount of color from top to bottom, and the LinkedIn interior design. Flawlessly it's a traditional mosaic quilted blanket with simplicity of shape shadow and mathematical technique shows it’s formulated from some years of experience. Jaque’s work is a process with the intention to preserve, and educate people about his culture with visual prayers or performance.
It's been a humbling experience finally having the opportunity to work with a company like LinkedIn. Curating in one the main campuses in the Silicon Valley has been our dream, and we are living that moment.
We look forward to continuing to build on our relationship with LinkedIn as this was our our second collaboration with the worldwide brand. The first project took place last summer in Mexico City in collaboration with Artsynonym which featured several artists creating unique pieces for the new offices. Link HERE for blog write up.
Artist Bio:
Jaque Fragua is an indigenous artist, whose work features visions drawn from traditional Native American ceramics, blankets, tattoo designs and more. Fragua authentically repurposes his culture’s iconography, which conceptually subverts our overconsumption of misappropriated Native American design and identity.
Jaque Fragua is an acclaimed multi-media artist from Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico. From his cultural background, he has developed a yearning for creativity and for the intrinsic process that is Art. Experimenting with various mediums, such as aerosol, found-objects, earthworks, poetry and music; messages of civil unrest, social justice, and emotional introspection and personal healing have heartened his unique perspective on life through art.
Fragua has studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts, and in turn, has taught many community-based workshops, such as mural projects/public-art studies, and studio classes for figure drawing and painting. Fragua has worked with fine establishments such as the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Institute of American Indian Arts, and Museum of Indian Arts & Culture to produce progressive/innovative exhibits concerning the plight of Native America.
Portrait and final photos by: Jennifer Gonzalez Media