Co-curators Ariel Esquivel and Junanne Peck, both artists themselves, were inspired by the strong Mexican American history and roots in East Dallas — and wanted to bring together North Texas artists who have works of art representing the Chicano diaspora.<\/p>\n
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Artist Chelsea Reyes’ digital photography titled “Movimiento y Orgullo” captures “the vibrant colors, disciplined movement, and timeless tradition of folklorico.” <\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like …we’ve all still been here but most of us are like with our families working, working on community and different things,\u201d Esquivel said. \u201cSo I felt like it was something that I wasn’t really seeing and I wanted to bring that to the table to celebrate the culture and the history here in East Dallas.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of Esquivel\u2019s point print artworks is of the patron saint of the Americas, the Virgin of Guadalupe, titled \u201cMother of the Stars.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember being 16 years old and pregnant with my first child going to the shrine with my partner through all these years,\u201d Esquivel said. \u201cI’ve always returned to pray there at that very spot I held close to my heart. This work is a reminder to lead with love, to be the light, to be kind, and ask ourselves, \u2018what would the mother do?\u2019”<\/p>\n
Art on Main gallery owner Andrea Lamarsaude worked with Peck and Esquivel on an exhibition last year called \u201cShelter” and said it was just a natural fit to have the Chicano exhibit at her space.<\/p>\n
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In his artist statement, Cease Martinez said his inspiration came from \u201cChicano cruising culture as a space of pride, connection, and self-expression. \u201c<\/p>\n
Among her favorite pieces in the exhibition is a painting called \u201cCultura\u201d by Cease Martinez. It depicts three Chicana women in a car with their backs turned. This piece and the other works in the exhibition have been well received by the community, Lamarsaude said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy hope is they realize how many extremely talented artists we have in Dallas, the range of talent and the range of mediums,\u201d Lamarsaude said.<\/p>\n
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Hermila Cuevas\u2019 oil on canvas work, titled \u201cChicomec\u014d\u0101tl: Giver of Harvest,” represents the Aztec corn goddess.<\/p>\n
Multidisciplinary artist Hermila Cuevas\u2019 oil on canvas work, \u201cChicomec\u014d\u0101tl: Giver of Harvest,\u201d represents the Aztec corn goddess \u2014 but not the way she\u2019s typically depicted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis an interpretation of what I would want to bring into the contemporary world as if she was still alive and not erased like the way most of our cultural history has been erased from our Indigenous identity,\u201d Cuevas said. \u201cThis is something that I want to bring to the community to be able to realize how rich our culture is in color, in history, and in culture and how we are together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mixed media collage artist Erica Sutherland, who said she is not Chicana but grew up around Chicano culture, said she loved the diversity of the different bodies of work in the exhibition.<\/p>\n
Her own piece, \u201cSouvenir El Recuerdo,\u201d is rooted in childhood memories of going to the beach with her mother during the summer.<\/p>\n
“There are pieces that, you know, deal with trauma, that deal with separation, that deal with deportation, that deal with nostalgia, that deal with celebration and memory,\u201d Sutherland said. \u201cIt’s the full range of what I think being Chicano and Chicana is.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Esquivel, the exhibition has been about rediscovering her identity and having community come together, Chicano or not.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt means so much to me because it’s about unity, coming together, being the change that you want, having partnerships with your community, knowing your neighbors and being what you want to see,\u201d Esquivel said. \u201cIf you want to see it, don’t talk about it, don’t complain, get out there, find your purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n
The exhibition runs until May 2.<\/p>\n
Priscilla Rice is KERA\u2019s communities reporter. Got a tip? Email her at\u00a0price@kera.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n