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Joseph Luis Ramirez is founder and principal artist of AXIS MUNDI
Studios, which has been creating and renovating sacred spaces
for over 12 years, and in the process has developed a reputation
as one of the premiere liturgical artists in the country. A native
Californian of Hispanic / Irish descent, Ramirez studied furniture
design in England, theology in France and art / restoration at
Chicago's School of the Art Institute.
A commission by the Benedictine
sisters at St. Scholastica Priory in Chicago, to initially restore
priceless Beuronese frescoes in their chapel, extended into a
seven year project that entailed the renovation of the entire
worship space. Included were original designs for a new altar,
ambo, choir chairs, tabernacle, floor and lighting. The magnificent
result of the project not only brought Ramirez national notoriety,
but gave him the inspiration to conceive and found AXIS MUNDI
Studios.
Apart from AXIS MUNDI, Ramirez
continues his own visionary painting style, a confluence of many
inspirations including; the imagery of early cinema, California
landscape, and revered artists such as William Turner and Velasquez.
This work is consistently collected by individuals and institutions.
As well as an artist and restorer,
Ramirez is a published poet and a film director. His 1992 hour-long
dream narrative DESCENT, and 1994 feature-length narrative VIRIDIAN both
opened to packed houses and critical acclaim at The Film Center
in Chicago. DESCENT was based on his in-depth studies
of the English mystical poet and painter, William Blake. VIRIDIAN was
penned by renowned Chicago Poet, Paul Hoover.
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