Cannon Gallery Director Karen McGuire would like to say that she chose the touring exhibit "Cardinal Points/Puntos Cardinales: A Survey of Contemporary Latino and Latin American Art" because it speaks to our region's border demographics. But it wouldn't be the complete truth.
"I have been interested in Latin American art since graduate school, and it made up the first exhibit I ever curated," said McGuire. "It's something that's always appealed to me. So I keep my eyes open for things like that. I think we would still love this art if we lived in Chicago. So our border proximity was a nice tie-in, but incidental."
The title of the exhibit refers to the four points of the compass, all by names different from north, south, east and west. The points represent the map that these artists have used to represent their cultural and historical values.
The show includes 55 two-dimensional works, including paintings, photographs, prints and mixed media. Among represented artists are Jose Bedia, Enrique Chagoya, Carmen Lomas Garza, Solomon Huerta, Graciela Iturbide, Freddy Rodriguez, Andres Serrano and Patssi Valdez.
The first part (or point on the compass) of the exhibit focuses on the human figure.
"It's symbolic of other things, such as how the figure is assembled," she said. "For instance, there's a photograph of children's hands holding marbles."
"The second point is 'narrative,' with pieces that tell stories. For instance, there's a famous painting by artist Luis Jimenez titled 'Border Crossing.' It shows the ordinary people of the Southwest, such as cowboys and laborers, with the iconic images that pay homage to heroic struggle."
Another painting by Garza shows a group of people at a dance, obviously having fun and enjoying the frivolity. McGuire points out that Garza's paintings tell stories. These aren't just events, but history as well.
The third part is devoted to how artists look at the natural world. The fourth emphasizes mapping. "This is a look at the compass and the four points or how we map social structures and histories," she said. "These pieces are more abstracted."
McGuire hopes this show will inspire others to be interested in Latin art.
"I hope it makes them curious to see more of the artist's work and discover why they're doing it," she said. "It's really a beautiful show. I'm really excited about it."
"Cardinal Points/Puntos Cardinales: A Survey of Contemporary Latino and Latin American Art"
When: Opens Sunday and runs through May 8; hours, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; 1-5 p.m. Sundays
Where: Cannon Art Gallery, Carlsbad City Library Complex, 1775 Dove Lane, Carlsbad
Admission: Free
Phone: (760) 602-2021
