Artist Feature: Soni López-Chávez

This interview and blog post were done by VCU Student Worker Rebecca Chandler.

Artist and activist, Soni López-Chávez, creates art with the goal to raise awareness for People of Color and inspire others to create.  Soni was born in Guanajuato Mexico but is now “living and creating” in San Diego California.

Soni has painted off and on throughout her whole life, but for the past 6 years, she ran an Art Gallery where she curated art shows and taught Preschool.

In response to the pandemic, Soni said, “The recent pandemic forced me to drop everything and shift my focus. I finally had the time to give my all to my art so I picked up digital illustration, something I’ve always wanted to try.”

  Soni is, “passionate about anything that has to do with POC.”  Her art speaks on issues and the lack of support that marginalized people and communities face with the intention of bringing to light these issues and encourage people to create and other artists to speak on these issues that POC face.  Soni states, “We do not get enough recognition for our current and past accomplishments. My hope is to raise awareness with my art and hopefully inspire others to create.” 

Soni López-Chávez pulls inspiration from her culture and everything in her work is very intentional, “I am influenced by the colors, history, food, people, music and traditions of my culture.”  Soni is very proud of her culture and traditions saying, “Being a Mexican artist to me means everything. The blood of my ancestors flows within me. With every illustration, with every pen stroke, I am honoring my parents and ancestors that walked before me to give me the opportunities that I am blessed with today.” 

You can check out Soni López-Chávez’s shop 

Keep up to date with her works on Instagram at @soni_artist