PLUMAS: My First Solo Show in Mexico City
On November 6th my solo exhibition ‘Plumas’ will open both physically at the Proyectos Galería Mexico City and virtually on Artsy. PRPG.mx and partner gallery Dab Art Co. (Los Angeles, Ventura, and Austin) will be jointly presenting my show.
Both shows are firsts for me. The 10 pieces on display at Proyectos Galería mark my first solo show in Mexico City. This is also the first time my work will be shown on Artsy, an international on-line forum that is only accessible for artists that are represented by a member gallery.
I met curator and gallerist Micheal Swank last summer through his Art Lab. This virtual residency was another first for me. I hadn’t participated in an artist group since I moved to Mexico from Western Massachusetts eleven years ago. For the previous 25 years I had been a member of a wonderful women artists support group.
The summer Art Lab gave me the opportunity to evolve ideas for a new sculpture and also deepen my thinking about appropriation, a topic that has been on my mind since I began using Mexican huipils as a source of inspiration. I continued Art Lab through the fall and during that time I developed my relationships with an international group of artists and also with Micheal, who skillfully facilitated the group.
Having relationships with curators who understand and are enthusiastic about my work has been key to opening doors and working with Micheal Swank is no exception.
Micheal’s curatorial approach is unique. He is genuinely interested in having authentic relationships with the artists in his circle. Micheal is also an ardent supporter of LBGTIA art and artists. In my experience, that kind of acceptance has been in short supply for bisexuals like myself so I felt very comfortable in the queer-friendly space that Micheal created.
When a new exhibition space suddenly opened up in Micheal’s gallery building, he invited me to be the inaugural exhibit. Although we didn’t have much lead time, our ability to communicate well enabled us to pull together the show in just over a month.
Fortunately, I have been preparing for an upcoming museum show in 2022, so I have a lot of inventory. This allowed me to easily fill the new PRPG.mx space.
I feel extremely fortunate to have Micheal’s avid support, which has not only affirmed my artwork but also my career trajectory.
Exhibition dates for Plumas:
At Proyectos Galería Mexico City, November 6th to December 11th, 2021
On Artsy November 6th to February 15, 2022
Opening Reception: Saturday November 6th, 6 – 10pm
Address: Calle Lucerna 1, Colonia Juarez, 06600 Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
Resources:
PRPG.mx Gallery and Resdiency Program: https://www.facebook.com/PRPGMX
Art Lab: This is an 8 week online and in-person residency program https://www.facebook.com/groups/prpgmxartlab
Curatorial Program: This new in-person and online curatorial residency is focused on building community with an emphasis on ethical relationships between artists and curators from all over the world. https://prpg.mx/
Curator Micheal Swank: https://www.dabart.me/curators
Artsy: https://www.artsy.net/?fbclid=IwAR1ZtcqP73I8tAcpDtTfvRhMLPlznzVVufg2Wl7yUvRZ3imQeCZkUC1uw9w