Jônatas' Artist-In-residence programs
Host An Artist with An Intriguing History and A Relevant Mission
Jônatas grew up listening to narratives of immigration from many branches of his family: From one branch, at family gatherings he would hear stories about his merchant ancestors who left Portugal to go to the Netherlands, before going to Brazil in the 17th century. Those stories included persecutions, heroic escapes, and territorial disputes in the New World. From the other branch, the stories were of a working-class refugee family from southern Spain (Almeria), about their arrival to Brazil in 1909, when they would face the risk of deportation, political persecution, family separation, and adaptation to life in Brazil. Surprisingly, both of these branches carried a multi-generational history of conflict with the Church. This element always puzzled Jônatas, as he remembers an upbringing full of religious ambiguity, secrecy, and a family law that could not be broken.
Maria Pardo - Jonatas' Spanish great grandmother and her children
Once Jônatas became a first-generation immigrant to the United States at the age of 16, he would not stop inquiring his family about the reasons why they migrated so much. As he turned 18, Jônatas would understand that many of his family's struggle began in the fires of the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions in the 15th century - as his maternal great-grandmother and parents would finally confirm their hidden-Jewish origins. This piece of information would forever influence Jônatas, as he would grow up to become an artist, researcher, and academic whose work is informed by a constant process of investigation about his origins, via genealogical studies, DNA exams, story-telling, and the making of art.
> Read further about Jônatas' journey HERE
For years Jônatas has traveled around the globe sharing his personal story via artist-in-residence programs featuring art exhibits, talks, lectures, and workshops. These events address the broader experiences of defending Jewish identity, and understanding the journeys of immigrants and refugees -- all themes of extreme importance to society today.
> See examples of Jônatas' artist-in-residence programs, promotional material, and press-releases HERE.
His most traveled art piece is a tent-like installation titled “In Thy Tent I Dwell”, which is composed of pastiches of Jônatas' family letters, photographs, DNA exams, immigration documents, archives from the inquisition, and a symbolic quarantine room that contains sounds and smells from the places where Jônatas' ancestors once lived.
> Read further about Jônatas' journey HERE
For years Jônatas has traveled around the globe sharing his personal story via artist-in-residence programs featuring art exhibits, talks, lectures, and workshops. These events address the broader experiences of defending Jewish identity, and understanding the journeys of immigrants and refugees -- all themes of extreme importance to society today.
> See examples of Jônatas' artist-in-residence programs, promotional material, and press-releases HERE.
His most traveled art piece is a tent-like installation titled “In Thy Tent I Dwell”, which is composed of pastiches of Jônatas' family letters, photographs, DNA exams, immigration documents, archives from the inquisition, and a symbolic quarantine room that contains sounds and smells from the places where Jônatas' ancestors once lived.
Host An Artist-in-Residence Program With Jônatas
An example of an artist-in-residence event flyer
Why host Jônatas' artist-in-residence program?
- To bring an immersive and meaningful experience to your community
- Thought-provoking, visually stimulating, and culturally relevant topics
- A program designed for all ages
- You can host the event at your location
- The program will be designed to fit your budget
Jônatas giving an art tour of his work
Who should host Jônatas' artist-in-residence program?
- > Any individual who believes in the arts and culture
- > University programs of various disciplines
- > Museums and art galleries
- > Community centers
- > Houses of worship
Jônatas' Installation titled In Thy Tent I Dwell
What elements may compose Jônatas' artist-in-residence program?
- One or more painting collections
- One or more immersive art installations
- Narratives via paintings, video projections, & installations
- Formal Lectures on academic research topics
- Informal Art Talks (Questions & Answers sessions)
- Audience-participatory activities for all ages
- Art workshops
- Live art performances
Jônatas Performance Video
Which subjects does Jônatas address?
- > His crypto-Jewish heritage and his journey of return to his ancestral identity
- > Marrano, converso, new-Christian, or crypto-Jewish identity and history
- > Immigration narratives
- > Diaspora identities
- > Sephardic history and identity
- > Art-making via genealogy, DNA, and genetic memory
An example of an artist-in-residence event flyer
When should you host an art program with Jônatas?
- Throughout the year
- For one day, one weekend, one week, two weeks, or one month
- Weekdays, weekends, summer, and winter
- Ask for available dates in advance to reserve the time
Jônatas presenting and fundraising for the Anti-Defamation League
