It takes months to curate an exhibition for an art museum.
It’s no different at the National Hispanic Cultural Center Art Museum.
The curators spend months putting together a narrative that will make an impact.
With hundreds of pieces in its permanent collection, it would take the average New Mexican years to see them all.
That is why the team at the art museum takes a lot of time to put together an exhibition.
The current exhibition “Fronteras del Futuro: Art in New Mexico and Beyond” runs until early 2023.
Jadira Gurulé, program manager for visual arts and curator of the exhibition, says it features artworks that explore the intersections of art, science, technologies (both ancient and modern), cosmic thoughts, forward-thinking visions and more.
It explores issues relevant to New Mexico (and beyond), with contributions from artists from New Mexico, across the country, and internationally.
Gurulé and Art Museum curator Rebecca Gomez jointly selected five pieces from the exhibition.
“There are so many important and fascinating details in the artworks of ‘Fronteras del Futuro’ that it’s hard to narrow them down to five,” says Gurulé. “But if you look for these five works of art, you may discover details that you might otherwise have missed, and you will have toured the entire exhibition. Hopefully every visitor will encounter other works of art in addition to the works of art mentioned here that also speak to them personally.”
The museum is highlighted as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through October 15.
1. Ryan Singer, “Flavour of the Rainbow” (2021)
The singer’s piece is acrylic on canvas.
Gomez and Gurulé say whether you prefer “Star Wars” or “Star Trek,” you can’t help but enjoy the nuances of Ryan Singer’s paintings, which intertwine the worlds of “Star Wars” and the landscape of his youth.
“The details make the merging of worlds seamless as Jawas enjoys an earthly soda at a food stand,” the pair say.
2. Cynthia Cook, “La Lune” (2004)
The piece is made of pewter, glass, glitter and photography.
In an exhibition with many large works of art, it is also important to stop and appreciate the small ones.
“There are some smaller works by Cynthia Cook on the north wall of the first large exhibition space,” the couple say. “Cook works with recycled can metal and assemblage. “La Lune” hangs on the wall with a picture of a thin crescent moon framed behind scratched glass. The metal shows a rusty patina that highlights the metal repoussé.”
3. Marion Martinez, “Heart of the Spirit” (2015)
The piece consists of computer circuit boards (copper, white, green and gold), memory chips, ribbon cable, CD and laser lens.
Martinez’s work is on the wall spanning the entrance to the exhibition and the first large room.
“From a distance, their work feels familiar as it references iconography deeply rooted in New Mexican culture,” the couple say. “A closer look reveals the unique materials that make up her sculptures. Martinez creates with discarded technology, turning circuit boards, wires, CDs and even blood test strips into works of art.”
4. Patrick McGrath Muñiz, “Divinus Informant” (2012)
Muñiz’ piece is oil on panel and gold leaf.
Patrick McGrath Muñiz’s “Divinus Informer” is a subtle work of art in the second room of the exhibition.
“This piece is a retablo of intricate woodwork and color and requires close inspection,” say Gomez and Gurulé. “The religious iconography one might be accustomed to in a retablo is present, but so are many other details that inform Muñiz’s exploration of the archetype of the ‘messenger’. ”
5. Maye Torres, Losing Marbles II (2001)
Torres’ work is a graphite drawing on four-ply ragboard.
“The work of Máye Torres captivates with large-scale drawings and assemblages with an otherworldly quality,” say Gomez and Gurulé. “Take a moment to reflect on her theme, which includes humans hatching from space eggs and visual representations of what it might be like to lose your marbles, and take a moment to understand.” how she uses texture and line in her drawings.”
Editor’s note: Every fourth Sunday of the month, Journal Arts Editor Adrian Gomez tells the stories behind some of the hidden gems you can see across the state on Gimme Five.
