TUCSON — Mainstream headlines tend to sensationalize and oversimplify the borderlands, defining those who traverse its vast expanse by barriers, built by small-minded politicians as attempts to separate and silence the vibrant cultures of the Americas.
Against this backdrop, New Mexico-based sculptor, illustrator, and printmaker Karl Whitaker (aka KRRRL) set out to showcase the “artistic merit,” in his words, of the Southwest, collaborating with 29 artists working in or near Albuquerque, El Paso, and Tucson to create this print portfolio that reflects the region as seen through their eyes.
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Desert Triangle Print Carpeta features primarily figurative works including serigraphs and relief prints, but also woodcuts, a linocut, and a lithograph. They’re all dated 2016, and printed on 22 by 30-inch paper.
Several pieces reflect personal narratives and the region’s cultural, social, and political landscape, exploring ideas around gender and sexuality, religion and spirituality, and representation.
For “Santa Muxe” (serigraph), Mykl Wells imagines a patron saint for the Zapotec people of Oaxaca, Mexico, using three hands to represent three genders. Meanwhile Nanibah Chacon draws on Diné symbols used in weaving to affirm Brown women (“+++,” serigraph), and Victor Muheddine employs Arabic script to counter post-9/11 stereotypes (“Ugly Arab,” serigraph).
Humor and art historical references abound, in works such as Martin Quintanilla’s “El Ultimo Taco” (relief print), created using Mexican shoe rubber and a wooden spoon.
Detailed text panels accompany just over half of these artworks, but viewers can peruse a companion blog or catalogue in the gallery to learn more about this project, which channels the region’s rich complexities.
Desert Triangle Print Carpeta continues at the University of Arizona Museum of Art (1031 North Olive Road, Tucson, Arizona) through December 21. The exhibition was curated Sophie Briley, the Edward and Nancy Strauss curatorial intern.
Source: Hyperallergic.com