VEN THOUGH THE ARTISTS
Ehave been selected, we’re still waiting for their pieces to arrive during this chaotic time. What I can say is, I’m honored and excited to be a host for truly unique pieces that resonate with the positive strengths of this era. From vibrant to subtle, all have depth of expression.
“I’ve seen a deeper appreciation of art during quarantine. Prior to lockdown there were times I felt there were waves of people whose goals in visiting this town were social functions. Art, at times, felt secondary, a backdrop. I see a kinder gentler future with a foundation of awareness being built in the now.”
“My gallery basically started as a studio space for me to use for creating my own work. That was in July 2010. As time went by, I realized that I could easily fill the space with my own work, but noticed many fabulous artists who were underserved by the mainstream art market in New Mexico. All of these other misfits weren’t necessarily experienced in the business side of art, and I have tried to bring them and their work to our community. “Pop-surrealism, lowbrow, magical realism, folk art, outsider art — these are all genres that have helped to energize my gallery and challenge the preconceived notions of what New Mexico and the Southwest have to offer in the visual arts.
“Artists have always been on the forefront of social commentary. It has always been the creatives who have something to say and the to challenge what they see as unjust or unequal treatment. That has not been the only response to our call for entries — there are those who expound on the beauty of our existence, the humanity of our brethren, the strength of our ancestors.
“There are as many reactions to the show title as there are types of art. We hope we juried a strong contingency of works from what was submitted. I was personally impressed by the amount of local talent that was blindly juried into the show. Rupert Chambers has several outstanding photographic images of our home town. Stephen Jatho has an excellent latilla fence series with multiple paintings chosen. Harold Romero, a Tucson residence who grew up in Taos and shows at my gallery full time, has four of his digital collage works included.
“My fellow gallerists, Lysa and Rob, have been incredible to work with. They are both extremely fair and equitable, which has helped to steady the boat in this storm. I’ll continue making work and trying my best to help my artists cover their mortgages and such by selling all of their work I can.”