We finally celebrated the opening of Contemporary Ex-Votos: Devotion Beyond Medium at New Mexico State University!
Over the last 18 months, my brain has been occupied by devotional art & the role that artists hold within communities through the creation of these objects. Taking what I have learned about these works, I continue to ponder & shape my current practice around a system of production that best upholds my individual experiences, history, environment, and politics (thank you Kris Chau for her recent words about this topic!)
The final site-specific installation—A tourist in a dream—is a warm and inviting corner of the museum consisting of 25 collage works on handmade paper carefully situated between digitally printed images of ex-votos found at NMSU & at the Museo Regional de Guanajuato Alhóndiga de Granaditas. There are layers upon layers of hand-marbled paper, colored paper, and found images including a vinyl album cover of devotional songs written & performed by my paternal grandfather—Raúl Reyes Solís—a devout Baptist preacher & artist in his own right.
As an outsider to Catholicism, I often feel like a tourist in this religious space, a sensation that is in line with other aspects of my experience as a Tejana living & working in the Borderlands. Folks expect a person of Mexican heritage to behave a certain way & I am beyond elated to be a part of an exhibition by all Latine artists—all of us possessing & welding our own unique voice & talents, despite what is expected of us.
Thank you to curator Dr. Emmanuel Ortega for believing in me & always being down to share your significant wisdom. s/o to Joshua (Gomez) León for his exuberance & brilliant mind. Major gratitude to the staff at NMSU Art Museum, especially Marisa Sage who worked tirelessly to elevate us. Lots of love & a BIG CONGRATS to all the artists Justin Favela, Eric J. García, Francisco Guevara, Dan45 Hernandez, Juan Molina Hernández, John Jota Leaños, Guadalupe Maravilla, Yvette Mayorga, Daisy Quezada Ureña, Krystal Ramirez, Sandy Rodriguez, and José Villalobos.
On view SEPT 30 — DEC 22, 2022 at New Mexico State University Art Museum.