Art Exhibition-Tigers, Totems and Tamales
Oaxala Gallery
Published: August 19, 2011
Tigers, Totem and Tamales
TIGERS, TOTEMS, AND TAMALES
An exhibit featuring artists:CHemaSkandal!, Diana Solís and Eric J. Garcia
Opening Reception: Saturday, September 10, 2011
6pm – 10pm / Exhibition runs through October 8, 2011
Oxalá Fine Art is proud to present the works of graphic designer/illustrator, CHemaSkandal!; painter/illustrator, Diana Solís;and political comic illustrator/painter, Eric J. Garcia. Tigers, Totems and Tamales is an exhibition dedicated to the collection of their most recent and iconic imagery: flying heroic tamales, creature totems, tigers, young women, and other original works - including life-size installations of some of their most memorable and newest characters.
Diana Solís is a long-time Chicago resident. A painter, illustrator, and art educator; Solís’s work has been exhibited in countless solo and group shows, both nationally and internationally. Her illustrations and poster art have been published in Chicago’s Contratiempo Magazine, Pros Arts Studio, as well as, a number of book covers for the publishing house VocesSueltas in Chicago. Working primarily on paper using acrylic and ink, Solís’s artwork blurs the lines between humans and nature - imaginary hybrids in a constant state of change.
Solís says of the exhibit; “What unites us as artists is our collective understanding of Mexican, Latino, and Chicano culture. Our work is infused and inspired by graffiti, retro culture, Mexican and pop surrealism, politics, music and underground art. In producing this exhibit, we wanted to create a vision that transcends mere visual appeal and speak directly to our interests, involvement and active participation within the contemporary discourse of urban art making.”
CHema Skandal! originally hails from Mexico City and has been living in Chicago for the last two years. An avid enthusiast of 20th century graphics and popular Caribbean music, his work has been published in various publications, including fanzines, illustration journals, and books. Most recently in Juxtapoz, the online version. He has exhibited nationally and internationally including Barcelona, Paris, London, Nantes, Toulouse and other cities around the world. This year he has been commissioned to do a painting with his style for the “Día de Muertos Exhibition” for the National Museum of Mexican Art.
Eric J. Garcia, originally from New Mexico, is a political cartoonist, illustrator, and painter, whose range includes oil paintings, hand printed posters, and sculptural installations. His political cartoon “El Machete Illustrated” is currently published in numerous places such as In These Times Magazine, The Weekly Alibi and The Black Commentator, among others. He has exhibited nationally and internationally, including El Museo de Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Cochabamba, Bolivia, and at the Jaime Sabines Cultural Center in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico, to name a few. Garcia resides in Chicago where he works as a teaching artist for in-school programs and art education programs through the National Museum of Mexican Art, located in Chicago.
Oxalá Fine Art Gallery established in 2005 is a Pilsen-located resource for unique art, jewelry, and spiritual services. For more information please contact Omar Valencia at Oxalá Fine Art Gallery, 312. 850-1655
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