Javie is a London-based, freelance British-Chilean illustrator and the co-chair for the Save Latin Village campaign. She mostly does socially-engaged editorial illustration for magazines such as gal-dem and Shado mag. She loves to use her work to celebrate and platform marginalised voices in the UK.
How long have you been part of the London Latinx Community?
I really felt part of the community when I moved to Tottenham in 2017. I stumbled across the Latin Village outside Seven Sisters, then eventually joined the SLV campaign. The Latinx community I’ve found in London is a huge source of love and inspiration that informs so much of my creative work. There’s nothing more beautiful than feeling seen and supported by your community.
I really felt part of the community when I moved to Tottenham in 2017. I stumbled across the Latin Village outside Seven Sisters, then eventually joined the SLV campaign. The Latinx community I’ve found in London is a huge source of love and inspiration that informs so much of my creative work. There’s nothing more beautiful than feeling seen and supported by your community.
There’s nothing more beautiful than feeling seen and supported by your community.
What is one surprising fact about you?
I’m very good at hula hooping.
As you live in London, a city with a mix of different cultures, do you think the creative community is more diverse than other places?
I grew up in Suffolk, so London definitely feels way more diverse. But it’s through grassroots campaign work I feel I see true ‘diversity’, because you come across so many different demographics with shared goals and interests. I would say it can seem like the creative industry is obsessed with the illusion of diversity, but it often falls so short or is commodified. That’s why there’s a lot of great collectives out there centring people of colour & minorities across creative industries, like Bad Form, Candela Viva and Riot Soup off the top of my head.
I grew up in Suffolk, so London definitely feels way more diverse. But it’s through grassroots campaign work I feel I see true ‘diversity’, because you come across so many different demographics with shared goals and interests. I would say it can seem like the creative industry is obsessed with the illusion of diversity, but it often falls so short or is commodified. That’s why there’s a lot of great collectives out there centring people of colour & minorities across creative industries, like Bad Form, Candela Viva and Riot Soup off the top of my head.
I would say it can seem like the creative industry is obsessed with the illusion of diversity, but it often falls so short or is commodified.
Do you believe the creative community is more accepting than others when it comes to class background?
From my experience, not necessarily. I feel like there’s such an added pressure of living in a city like London and sustaining yourself, when you have no prior connections or family located here to support you. We’ve got to ask why some people can afford a studio, materials, internships, etc. and others can’t. I feel as with most industries in the UK there’s a hell of a lot of gatekeeping and nepotism, which is why I prefer to focus on community building outside of creative institutions that tend to dominate.
What led you to become a leader of a community? Is it something you’ve always had a passion for?
I wouldn’t say I’m a community leader, the community work I do is always a collective endeavour. We work as a unit to create change and build upon the work of the people that fought for change before us.
I wouldn’t say I’m a community leader, the community work I do is always a collective endeavour. We work as a unit to create change and build upon the work of the people that fought for change before us.
Do you think the creative industry in London is likely to be overrun by more financially privileged people?
I think it already is!
Why do you think art is so effective at breaking down barriers?
Art can be a really accessible medium. It’s a great place to explore and discuss themes that can often seem overwhelming outside of art.
Art can be a really accessible medium. It’s a great place to explore and discuss themes that can often seem overwhelming outside of art.
What is one example of art as advocacy that made a big impact on you?
I really love the art/ advocacy of the Bonita Chola, community comfort, daikon* zine, Protest Stencil, , and countless others.
As you’re apart of the London Latinx Community; has the organisation used art to aid campaigns?
Definitely, art is always an important part of campaign work. Things like flyers, posters, exhibitions - people love to engage with things on a visual level. Art can also be a way to celebrate all the creatives and voices within our community.
Art can also be a way to celebrate all the creatives and voices within our community.
What do you believe are the main advantages of using art as advocacy compared to traditional methods?
I think it goes back to accessibility!
Who are your biggest inspirations?
My friends and family for sure. I often feel so happy to be surrounded by lots of different creative and politically minded beings, which keeps me constantly grounded and inspired.
What would you like to accomplish by 2023?
I want to be healthy, fulfilled, and continue to be surrounded by the people that nourish me and vice versa.
What is a saying/quote you try to live by?
I’m not really a quote kind of gal, mostly because I have an awful memory. I do read a lot and I’m currently reading Leah Cowan’s Border Nation. Leah quotes A. Sivanandan’s words of ‘we are here because you were there’, which has stuck with me.
