November 23, 2008
By Tom Shafer
"Humanigration," a fine selection of Latino imagery, is currently hanging at Purdue University in the Ringel, Rueff and Stewart Center Galleries until Dec. 7. Going into these exhibits, one must first understand that the art work is centered on, as Purdue Galleries director Craig Martin describes, "...the interpretation of issues surrounding one of the pivotal concerns of our time -- immigration."
These paintings, prints and photographs produce powerful statements. The viewer may agree or disagree with the artist's vision, but nonetheless these pieces project major concerns from the Latino point of view. I found that one of the silkscreen prints by Malaquias Montoya titled "I Came from the Other Side" did affect me, but not because of the imagery. The piece consists of five sketchy portraits that are very reminiscent of Kate Kollwitz lithographs. Written at the bottom of the print however, was the following: "I am not responsible for your faltering economy, I came here to work and to contribute." This is a quiet piece with very strong words.
Hanging very near to Montoya's print I found a Dan Vauderas silkscreen from 2004 titled "The United States of Death." This small piece held back no punches. This appears to be a direct accusation of the United States as being the chief military armament dealer in the world. This art isn't about being "pretty." Each and every piece is meant to get under the viewer's skin.
The single work that spoke to me the loudest was a small silkscreen print by Oscar Moyer called "Open Season." This simple yet striking piece uses an iconic traffic sign showing a migrant family running across a road. Lurking in the background, one finds the Statue of Liberty with her back turned.
If you like art with "teeth," this show is for you. The work does not disappear quietly into the night, or hide and attempt to attack you from behind. Each piece in its own way stands directly in front of you, fists clenched, ready to take you on.
Source: JCOnline.com
By Tom Shafer
"Humanigration," a fine selection of Latino imagery, is currently hanging at Purdue University in the Ringel, Rueff and Stewart Center Galleries until Dec. 7. Going into these exhibits, one must first understand that the art work is centered on, as Purdue Galleries director Craig Martin describes, "...the interpretation of issues surrounding one of the pivotal concerns of our time -- immigration."
These paintings, prints and photographs produce powerful statements. The viewer may agree or disagree with the artist's vision, but nonetheless these pieces project major concerns from the Latino point of view. I found that one of the silkscreen prints by Malaquias Montoya titled "I Came from the Other Side" did affect me, but not because of the imagery. The piece consists of five sketchy portraits that are very reminiscent of Kate Kollwitz lithographs. Written at the bottom of the print however, was the following: "I am not responsible for your faltering economy, I came here to work and to contribute." This is a quiet piece with very strong words.
Hanging very near to Montoya's print I found a Dan Vauderas silkscreen from 2004 titled "The United States of Death." This small piece held back no punches. This appears to be a direct accusation of the United States as being the chief military armament dealer in the world. This art isn't about being "pretty." Each and every piece is meant to get under the viewer's skin.
The single work that spoke to me the loudest was a small silkscreen print by Oscar Moyer called "Open Season." This simple yet striking piece uses an iconic traffic sign showing a migrant family running across a road. Lurking in the background, one finds the Statue of Liberty with her back turned.
If you like art with "teeth," this show is for you. The work does not disappear quietly into the night, or hide and attempt to attack you from behind. Each piece in its own way stands directly in front of you, fists clenched, ready to take you on.
Source: JCOnline.com
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