UVA’s Arthaus Gallery
43 N. Beacon Street, Allston, MA 02134
Curated by Jessica Hernandez
September 22 – November 17, 2023
Opening Reception: Thursday September 28th, 2023 6:30-8pm
Curator’s Statement:
In this exhibit, twelve artists have offered rich meditations on what it means to be Latinx in our current moment. At the core of the exhibit are questions such as: How do we understand the dynamic relationship between who we are and where we are? How do we represent ourselves within the different spaces we engage in whether physical or digital? Finally, in what ways do our individual lived experiences relate to the structural and systemic arrangements that so often shape these spaces? These are the questions that these artists have gestured toward as they explore the diverse experiences and representations of Latinx identity. The central notion of “who” emerges as many of the works reference and represent the human subject. The idea of “where” comes from the depictions of various environments and spaces – whether it be Boston’s Latin Quarter, the digital publics of social media, or cartographic images of the Americas.
Through sculpture, photography, time-based works, and mixed media, the featured artists illustrate the diversity of Latinx experiences. And in doing so, they examine subjects ranging from movement and migration, gender and womanhood, the violence of the nation-state, and the importance of healing the mind and body.
Overall, these artists have offered rich meditations on what it means to be Latinx in our current moment.
Artists: Jennifer Amadeo-Holl, Ivonne Blanco, Monica Cohen, Nayda A. Cuevas, DO · ALISM, Raquel Fornasaro, Yola Gilibert, Colomba Klenner, Andres Lopez, Maia Monteagudo, Joshua Sariñana, and Maria Servellon.
Curator Biography: Jessica Hernandez is a DJ, producer, and sound artist. She is particularly interested in dance oriented works and experimental forms of electronic music that challenge listeners through discordant arrangements and visceral rhythms. In regard to the visual arts, Jessica is drawn to works that function as modes of cultural critique and forms of intellectual thought. She is especially moved by works that engage with history, Blackness, the Caribbean, and abstraction. While at UVA, Jessica hopes to learn more about the process of curation and connect with Boston-based artists working in the visual and performing arts. She received her B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies from Swarthmore College (2020) and her M.A. in History from the University of Virginia (2022).