Chicanx/Latinx
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NR-10.25.18
ArtGallery October 25, 2018
The implications of migration and immigration are explored and expressed through the College of the Canyons Art Gallerys two new exhibitions, Pavel Acevedos Inland Empire and Chicanx/Latinx: Serigraph Prints from Self Help Graphic & Art. These exhibitions are being showcased now through Thursday, Nov. 29 at the COC Art Gallery, located in Mentry Hall, Room 108, on the colleges Valencia campus.
Pavel Acevedo's Inland Empire explores the political and personal effects of migration, immigration, borders, and the duality many contend with after leaving their homeland for a new nation. He melds elements of Mexican mural painting, printmaking and classical drawing with symbols and pre-Hispanic imagery from the codex. Born in Oaxaca, Mexico and now living in Riverside, CA, Acevedo typifies a new generation of contemporary Mexican artists telling powerful visual stories about Latino identity, personal experiences, American culture and the ever-changing socio-political environment of Southern California. Pvel Acevedo is COCs first Artist in Residence, said Pamela Lewis, COC Art Gallery Director. His exhibition Inland Empire is COC Art Gallerys first ever one-person exhibition featuring the art of a contemporary Latinx visual artist! Its an incredible installation. I hope everyone comes by to experience it. Pvel spent a week on campus creating Inland Empire and generously invited COC students to assist him in painting the mural elements. He led a relief printmaking workshop for students as welland finally gave a public lecture in Spanish and a second in English about his work.
The other exhibition, Chicanx/Latinx: Serigraph Prints from Self Help Graphic & Art, surveys contemporary Chicanx and Latinx artists engaged with the tradition of social and political printed art.Simultaneously, these pieces are vibrant works and primary historical documents. These handmade, unique prints expose histories, communities, struggles, and triumphs that are often hidden or forgotten. The artists in the exhibition include: Dewey Tafoya, Votan Henriquez, Sandra Fernandez, Judy Baca, Shizu Saldamando, El Mac, Pvel Acevedo, Zeke Pea, Luis Genaro Garcia, Kimberly Robertson, Dalia Paola Mendez, EnikOne, Cynthia Velasquez, Germs, Sonia Romero, and Victoria Delgadillo. It has been a thrill partnering with the venerable institution, Self Help Graphics & Art, said Lewis. This group has served as the heart of contemporary Latinx printmaking for nearly 50 years! Chicanx/Latinx presents a small survey of works produced in the last ten years from Self Helps vast archive of incredible fine art prints. Im delighted to introduce our students and our community to these wonderful Latinx artists and the important art and social histories that these works represent. Both exhibitions are open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. For more information, please call (661)362-3875 or visit the COC Art Gallery webpage.
Chicanx/Latinx: Serigraph Prints from Self Help Graphics & Art
OCTOBER 08, 2018-NOVEMBER 29, 2018
Since printed art was developed some 500 years ago, it has served as a vehicle to
disseminate beliefs, educate, and inspire people to action. Chicanx/Latinx, surveys
contemporary Chicana/o and Latinx artists engaged with the tradition of social and
political printed art. Simultaneously vibrant works of art and primary historical
documents, these handmade and unique prints make visible legacies, communities, struggles,
and triumphs that are often hidden or forgotten. Founded in East Los Angeles in 1970
and responsible for the largest collection of Chicano/Latino fine art prints in history,
Self Help Graphics & Art has been at the heart of innovative and experimental printmaking
by Chicana/o and Latinx artists for nearly 50 years. The eclectic selection of works
by both activist and non-activist printmakers in Chicanx/Latinx, explores themes related
to identity, spirituality, social justice and global equity in order to raise provocative
questions, engage diverse communities, and create political change.