Why "Bright Raven"?

“In traditional folklore ravens could be considered an ill omen foretelling misfortune. But ravens are also wildly intelligent and curious, and have come to symbolize mystery and our human fascination with what is spiritual and unseen. As a word, I like that “bright” can refer to something as being luminous and shining but also clever. In one story it’s said that ravens earned their bright black feathers from having survived the harsh brilliance of the sun. As artists occupying multiple marginalized identities, and having grown up in families that were working poor, I liked the thought of ravens being scrappy survivors. 

For me, the name Bright Raven also captures the emotions of  pursuing of something as ephemeral as inspiration. Air is tied to creativity. Flight is tied to imagination. I have worked across several mediums including painting, photography, printmaking, and now clay. For me the process has always been analog and slow- requiring hands, physical ritual, a bit of intuition, and most of all curiousity for what will be revealed.”

-Gabriela Margarita De Jesus