Former US President Bill Clinton receives a photograph by and from Panamanian photographer Javier Gomez in New York just days after Magic Dreams Productions announced that Clinton will give a lecture in Panama City in June. Both men share a vision of global connection. Javier Gomez, a Panamanian photographer living in Manhattan, met former US President Bill Clinton at a party last week, just a few days after the announcement that Clinton will present a lecture in Panama City on June 4. “I don’t believe in coincidences,” said Javier, “We chatted for a few minutes and I know that he is going to bring a great vibe and message to Panama. His message is actually similar to the inspiration behind my art.”   A former Wilhelmina Panama Talents model and Copa Airlines flight attendant, Javier moved to New York in 2004. Having worked on the other side of the lens, he says, makes him extra critical of his own photographs. Though his subjects are seldom human, he says his inspiration has long been to “capture balance and aesthetics in order to appeal to a universal audience.”   Javier knew Clinton would be in attendance at the celebration, so he selected one of his most prized photographs, dedicated it to the former president and took the opportunity to gift it to the former president at the party.  “It was a big day for me,” said Javier, “Clinton’s presidency was personally inspiring to me and I am very proud as an artist and as a Panamanian for having now the honor to have him as a collector. My piece is proudly hung at his home in Chappaqua, NY.    Javier studied photography at New York University and Cooper Union and also intern  for  famous fashion photographer Steven Klein. His work is driven by his keen eye for symmetry, serenity and “a thread that connects us all as people.” .