february 20th, 2025 — march 20th, 2025

OJALÁ

Dries Van Noten is delighted to present 'OJALÁ', an exhibition by Harley Cortez at The Little House.

OJALÁ

OJALÁ by Harley Cortez is a thought-provoking exhibition that delves into the complex interplay between genetic memory and migration. OJALÁ (meaning “hopefully” in Spanish) reflects on how such profound experiences not only shape our personal and collective identities but also deeply influence our creative expressions. “I titled this exhibition OJALÁ because I wanted to invite hope into the conversation around our interdependence and how that is linked to our ancestral memory.”

Harley’s work asks viewers to explore the subtle yet powerful ways in which migration is woven into the fabric of our genetic memory, impacting generations across time and space.

The exhibition—which comprises paintings, sculptures, original music compositions, and film/video elements that pay homage to Los Angeles and David Lynch—presents a unique narrative that resonates with themes of loss and resilience, aiming to engage viewers in a dialogue about the unseen forces that mold creativity.

OJALÁ seeks to create a space where art and memory converge, revealing the enduring impacts of migration and the transformative power of art in the healing process. A portion of sales from the show will be donated to Grief x Hope, an organization directly helping artists impacted by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles.

ABOUT HARLEY CORTEZ

Multi-disciplinary artist, musician, and filmmaker. His work has been shown in Los Angeles, New York City, Berlin, Mexico City and Tokyo.

Raised in Los Angeles, CA and Queens, NY, he also lived in his mother’s home country, Guatemala, for a brief time in his youth. His works explore international themes of genetic memory and migration and have been shown and performed in institutions across the globe.

INTERVIEW OF HARLEY CORTEZ

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS FROM THE INITIAL IDEA TO THE FINISHED PIECE?

A story envelopes me to the point of tears. Inspired by this, I lose my mind creating the work from the catalyst to the finished piece. It could take 4hrs or 4 months.

HOW HAS YOUR WORK EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS?

My themes have changed as well as my style. My work has oscillated from figurative to abstraction. I aim to provoke thought and inspire action beyond aesthetic appreciation.

IF YOU HAD TO DESCRIBE YOUR ART STYLE IN WORDS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

Lyrical abstraction.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PIECE YOU’VE EVER CREATED AND WHY?

The next one I make.

WHAT’S THE MOST PERSONAL ARTWORK YOU’VE EVER CREATED AND WHY?

All art is personal.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF COLOR, TEXTURE, AND SPACE IN YOUR WORK?

There’s an intention behind all materials. I often create an ash-like essence as an ode to my ancestors who lived amongst the volcanoes in Guatemala and understood the dual nature of volcanic ash—it can fertilize the land and, at the same time, poison one’s lungs.

WHAT WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING PIECE YOU’VE EVER CREATED?

To create art at all is challenging. Nothing in this realm comes easy.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN YOUR ARTWORKS AND DRIES VAN NOTEN?

Dries loves my work. I love Dries too.

WHO ARE SOME ARTISTS THAT INSPIRE YOU?

Arthur Jafa, Antoni Tapies, David Hammons, Carlos Almarez, Frank Auerbach, Louise Bourgeois, Luis Bunuel, Lorca, Charles Burnett, John Cassavetes, Joan Mitchell, Goya, The Smiths, Miles Davis, Kieslowski, Wong Kar Wai, Kurosawa, Chaplin, Mahler, Bergman, James Brown, Arthur Lee, Bruce Lee, my friends….etc.