REDWOOD CITY, CA.- Fung Collaboratives unveiled a new site-specific installation by Jesus Sanchez.

Artist Statement

Echo of Renewal takes place in the present of the person I have become after December 2022, a turning point in my life when I was arrested due to a regrettable decision that led to a warrant for my arrest. I felt embarrassed and afraid to confront my family and friends but facing myself and my emotions was the greatest challenge.

My journey is reflected in Echo of Renewal, which expresses how I began to understand how my past experiences have shaped me, leading to personal growth over time.

Although I still feel regret for my actions, I’ve learned that one mistake does not define who I am. I remain committed to pursuing my goals and aspirations while improving myself. This highlights the potential for growth despite past mistakes and serves as a message to others: don’t let regret consume your life; instead, learn from it and keep moving forward.

Before being arrested, I was facing a dark path. I associated myself with someone who continuously tried to change me. I slowly became unhappy, developed anger issues, and became violent towards myself. I began to lash out frequently, becoming exhausted with who and where I was in life. I felt trapped as I lost my sense of self. Not being able to think was the root of my problem. Losing myself sparked a regretful decision that resulted in a huge mistake. A case and a warrant were the consequences of my actions. Damaging my image and simultaneously losing friends for what I did. I was told that I was evil and at that time I believed those words.

I was embarrassed about who I was and what I had done. I was afraid to face my family and friends, worried about what they would think of me; but ultimately, facing myself was the biggest challenge. After my arrest, I was released and sentenced to house arrest, followed by a year of probation. Being on house arrest was a significant moment for me mentally. At the time, I viewed myself as a different person. I became upset, frustrated, and angry with myself, knowing that one mistake led to all of this. I constantly questioned myself, “Why? Why did I do this to myself ? Look where it got me….” I regretted it every day.

However, my past self had not realized who I would become two years later. Echo of Renewal reflects on how my past experiences continue to shape me, help me grow, and convey a sense of revitalization or a fresh start. I always look back at this dark time and reflect on my mistakes, appreciating the experience and the person it has led me to become. I began to realize how much I have grown as an individual. Although speaking about this moment in my life publicly has been difficult, I learned more about myself because of it.

Every day, I slowly learned how to face my past. Now that I have better mental health and have come to terms with what I have done. I realized this can also change how others perceive me. I eventually learned to outgrow these fears. I constantly remind myself that this will never change or define who I am. I am still the same person with the same personality, goals, aspirations, and passions. I am the same person who is driven to accomplish everything I have dreamed of. As my life goes on, I will continue to improve myself. Echo of Renewal showcases how I can look at my past self straight in the eyes and emerge into a stronger and more whole individual. This show captures my struggle with my past while highlighting who I have become today.

This is a message to anyone with deep regret for a bad decision: please don’t let a single mistake consume the entirety of your life. Your life does not end with one mistake. As humans, we commit errors and have regrets, but what matters most is what we learn from them to improve ourselves. You can still become who you want to be.

Jesus Sanchez is a first-generation University graduate and was born and raised in San Jose, California. He is a photographer who expresses himself through topics varying from community and his personal life. By sharing his thoughts, visions, and emotions, he hopes that his work will spark new interpretations and conversations in anyone viewing his work. Sanchez is driven by the idea of being able to create photos that can make the audience feel an emotion and experience a different point of view by introducing a new perspective through is particular lens.

Art was not one of his hobbies when growing up until he found an interest in photography. This new interest began when he got his first iPhone 4 in middle school. He tried to mimic certain styles and capture anything that he found of interest. Being able to build up his photographic skills at a young age sparked a new passion for Sanchez.

Sanchez later decided to dedicate photography as his career choice when he received his first DSLR (Canon Rebel t6i) in high school during his Junior year. In May 2024, Sanchez received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a focus in Photography.