Two Madison Latina artists will display their works at the Arts + Literature Laboratory in an effort to build community and dismantle barriers. Issis Macias and Jessica Gutiérrez will hold a joint gallery from Nov. 19-Dec. 21 that explores themes of resilience, transformation and cultural heritage.
Macias’ exhibit “Ethereal Spaces” explores the themes through abstract paintings inspired by her Mexican roots. Gutiérrez’s exhibit “Gifts from the Dark” marries her background as a mental health therapist with art through the use of symbolic imagery that explores memory, healing and ancestral connection.
“Here, I feel nostalgia for my culture. I decided that I would offer a talk in Spanish to invite the Spanish-speaking community and also create great connections and build community,” Macias said. “When you’re a Latina or artist of color, it can sometimes feel even more intimidating. I feel that this space allows me the opportunity to bring in Latina perspectives.”
Central to the two is a push to dismantle cultural barriers to art galleries. Macias notes that there is a large intimidation factor in getting the Latino community to come out to art shows. Often, she feels that art spaces are not inclusive to communities of color.
“As a first-generation Mexican American [and] Latina, I’ve had the privilege to work on becoming someone and self-actualization. Whereas my parents and my grandparents were in survival mode — the immigrant experience,” Macias said. “We don’t see a lot of Latino people coming into these spaces for whatever reason.”
Macias brings her abstract works she describes as “intuitive.” She goes in without a plan on how paintings will be and relies on the experience to come to a final result. Some works will come from a recent exhibit she held at the Common Wealth Gallery where she and other artists were given free studio space by Oscar Mireles — part of his retirement and continued efforts to support artists of color.
She hopes to inspire the Latino Madison Latino community to pursue arts. In conjunction with the gallery show, youth will have the opportunity to paint on two large canvases that will be later unveiled.
A reception for the joint exhibits will be held on Friday, Nov. 22 at the Art + Literature Laboratory, 111 S. Livingston St. #100. It will start with a talk from artists in Spanish at 5:30 p.m. and a follow-up in English at 6:30 p.m.
The event is free to attend. No registration is required.
