77 bold fine art screen prints on display make statements about politics, culture and history in Puerto Rico.
(Nov. 8, 2017) -- Puerto Rico’s history and culture come alive in a new exhibition at the Centro de Artes San Antonio curated by Teresa Eckmann, associate professor of modern and contemporary Latin American art history at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Status: Prints from Puerto Rico to San Antonio, is made up of serigraphs, or fine art screen prints, from Puerto Rico produced from the 1950s to present day alongside contemporary prints from UTSA faculty, alumni and well-known San Antonio artists.
The exhibition’s first section, “Puerto Rican Letrismo: Text and Form” showcases an innovative approach to text in cultural prints by such artists as Lorenzo Homar, Rafael Tufiño, and José Rosa Castellanos.
The second section, “Antonio Martorell and the Taller Alacrán: Experimentation and Innovation” includes prints from the independent workshop of a well-known master printmaker from Puerto Rico, Antonio Martorell, and his students who used text to make bold political and cultural statements in the 1960s and 1970s.
The exhibit’s third section, “San Antonio Prints: Text and the Power of Punch” includes prints from UTSA faculty and alumni Richard Armendariz, Juan de Dios Mora, Joe Harjo and Andrei Renteria who incorporate text in their work while addressing difficult subject-matter with humor.
These local artists use text to make statements on topics such as immigration, violence, politics, culture and heritage just like Martorell and his students used art to make political statements around the time of the Vietnam War and Hippie Movement.
“The 77 bold prints on display are meant to spark dialogue amongst visitors about themes such as politics, immigration, gun culture, mental health, gender expectations, cultural appropriation and more,” said Eckmann.
The exhibition is made possible by the City of San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture, the Puerto Rican Heritage Society and UTSA. Lending institutions include the University of New Mexico’s Center for Southwest Research, the Museo de Historia, Arte y Antropología Universidad Puerto Rico Recinto Rio Piedras, and Antonio Martorell’s personal collection.
Status: Prints from Puerto Rico to San Antonio is free and open to the public at the Centro de Artes through December 17, 2017. There will be an artist reception with Antonio Martorell from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2017, that is free and open to the public.
Eckmann has curated several exhibitions in her field. Her research, teaching and curatorial projects focus on art and visual culture of Latin America—principally, on cultural nationalism and identity in 20th century Mexico and the Caribbean. She teaches contemporary and modern Latin American art courses in the Department of Art & Art History at UTSA.
Learn more about the exhibit Status: Prints from Puerto Rico to San Antonio.
Learn more about Teresa Eckmann.
Learn more about UTSA Department of Art & Art History.
Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
This photo exhibit explores the history and tradition behind the Mexican drink.
UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures, Hemisfair CampusUTSA faculty, staff and students are invited to attend open forums featuring the three finalist candidates for the position of vice president for the Office of Research, Economic Development and Knowledge Enterprise.
Various locations, Main and Downtown CampusesThis year’s Symposium will focus on Operational Command and Control in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Tickets are $60 for Admiral Nimitz Foundation Members and $70 for non-members.
Student Union Retama Auditorium (SU 2.02.02), Main CampusThe NSA Codebreaker Challenge provides students with a hands-on opportunity to develop their reverse-engineering, low-level code analysis skills while working on a realistic problem set centered around the NSA’s mission. Developer Eric Bryant will present a Tech Talk and answer questions about the challenge. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Free pizza. Open to all.
John Peace Library (JPL 4.04.22), Main CampusUTSA's Office of Sustainability hosts a full day of activities to celebrate the opening of the Tito Bradshaw Bicycle Repair Shop. A ribbon-cutting at 6 p.m.will include President Eighmy, Mayor Nirenberg, Councilman Pelaez and Councilwoman Gonzales.
Ximenes Ave. between Ximenes Ave. Lot and Brackenridge Ave. Lot 1, Main CampusAnnual symposium to highlight the importance of effective translation and interpreting in our global community.
H-E-B Student Union Travis Room (HSU 2.202), Main CampusThe UTSA Institute for Law and Public Affairs and the Southwest Association of Prelaw Advisors will host the annual Law School Fair for students interested in attending law school. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from approximately 90 ABA approved law schools (including all law schools in Texas), and learn about admissions, financing, course offerings, student life, program reputation, with the opportunity to gain application fee waivers.
H-E-B Student Union, Ballroom (HSU 1.104), Main CampusThe University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
