Story outline
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A Powerful Past, A Shared Future
The exhibition at the ambassador's residence in Mexico City delves into the U.S.-Mexico relationship, focusing on shared struggles and hopes. Curated in collaboration with various art organizations and experts, the exhibit highlights civil rights, indigenous representation, and future visions. -
Stop 1. Introduction
This exhibit showcases artists illuminating the intricate history of the U.S. and Mexico. In this space, hear directly from artists featured in this virtual gallery. -
Stop 2. History
This room explores the theme of history, bridging the past and present. It highlights the journey and lessons shared between the U.S. and Mexico. Artworks range from precolonial Mexican carvings to contemporary Chicano pieces, emphasizing the evolving bilateral relationship. -
Stop 3. Family and Dignity
This collection, from alebrije sculptures to paintings and photos, emphasizes family and the pursuit of dignity in Mexico and the U.S. Beyond their beauty, these pieces embody cultural traditions and the life of Mexican American families. The gallery celebrates the impact of Latina/o artists in American art, representing their resilience and determination against challenges. -
Stop 4. Power of Women
This artwork celebrates women's resilience and their impact on economies and democracies. “Codex de la Trinidad” by Santa Barraza illustrates the preservation of Mexican identities in the U.S. These pieces honor influential women in both Mexico and the U.S. and inspire future female creators. -
Stop 5. The Migrant Experience
This collection illuminates the untold stories of migrants and their unwavering spirit. Made by artists familiar with the migrant experience, the works showcase courage and change. "Campbells Crossing" by Tony Ortega blends a Campbell's soup can with Menudo and figures crossing a river. These artworks honor migrant resilience and highlight migration as a driver of cultural enrichment. -
Stop 6. The Dreamers
This gallery honors both literal dreaming and the "DREAMers" – young people brought to the U.S. without legal status. "Rosa," a self-portrait by Arely Morales, exemplifies this, depicting a hardworking immigrant's day and spotlighting the often invisible Latino immigrant community. The collection aims to recognize and appreciate DREAMers in their communities. -
Stop 7. Conclusion
The U.S. and Mexico have a shared future. This exhibition encourages suggestions on celebrating our mutual history. By understanding our past, we can build a brighter future together. Marking the bicentennial of diplomatic ties, we hope the exhibit prompts reflection and celebration. We invite you to explore these artworks and celebrate our shared journey.
Voices
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Ken Salazar
Ambassador
U.S. Embassy Mexico City
Ken Salazar was sworn in as United States Ambassador to Mexico on September 2, 2021. In 2009, President Obama nominated Mr. Salazar to serve as Secretary of Interior where he had a lead role on the Obama-Biden agenda on energy and climate, the nation’s conservation agenda including America’s Great Outdoors, and Indian Country. Ambassador Salazar has been a lifelong fighter for civil rights and the inclusion of Latinos in the American dream. In 1998, Mr. Salazar was elected as Colorado Attorney General and became the first Latino ever elected to statewide office in Colorado. He was reelected as Attorney General in 2002. In 2004, Attorney General Salazar was elected to the United States Senate for Colorado becoming the first Latino democrat to be elected to the United States Senate since 1972. -
Angel Cabrales
Artist and Assistant Professor
University of North Texas
Angel Cabrales views everything as an artistic resource and utilizes this in all his work given his extensive experience with a variety of mediums and styles. Through multimedia installations and sculptures, Cabrales comments on immigration and inequality to create awareness and start a conversation. Cabrales holds a Bachelor of Arts from Arizona State University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of North Texas. He is an Assistant Professor in Sculpture at the University of Texas at El Paso. -
Carlos Jackson
Artist and Dean of the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design
University of Michigan
Carlos Jackson was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. The visual artist and writer received his Bachelor of Science in Community and Regional Development, and Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the University of California, Davis. He published a book in 2009, Chicana and Chicano Art: ProtestArte, on the history of the Chicano Art Movement. Two years later, the University of Illinois, Springfield, published a catalog of his artwork titled Mi América/My America: Carlos Jackson. Mr. Jackson was also a featured artist and essayist in the exhibition catalog Estampas de la Raza. He has had numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout the United States. -
Santa Barraza
Artist & founder of Barraza Fine Art, LLC
Santa Barraza, a native of Kingsville, Texas, is a contemporary Chicana/Tejana artist. Barraza paints bold representations of Nepantla, a mythic “Land Between.” The term was used by Nahuatl-speaking people of Mexico to describe their situation vis-à-vis the Spanish colonizers. Her work depicts the historical, emotional, and spiritual “land between” Mexico and Texas, between the real and the celestial, and between present reality and the mythic world of the ancient Aztecs and Mayas. Barraza’s art shows how Mexican artistic traditions have the power to nurture and sustain cultural identities on the U.S. side of the border. -
Tony Ortega
Artist and Professor
Regis University
Tony Ortega was born in 1958 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He holds a Master of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Ortega is known for his vibrant, colorful artwork. His lifelong goal is to contribute to a better understanding of cultural diversity by addressing the culture, history, and experiences of Chicanos/Latinos through his art. He currently lives in Denver, Colorado, and is Chair and Associate Professor of Drawing and Printmaking at Regis University. -
Arely Morales
Artist and Assistant Professor
Stephen F. Austin State University
Born in Mexico, Arely Morales moved to Texas at the age of fourteen. The experience of merging into a new culture, as well as being part of a minority group that is targeted and profiled, influenced her work on immigrant workers. Her work addresses issues of identity, humanity, and the invisibility of the Latino immigrant community in the United States. She shares aspects of their lives — their colorful culture, their humanity, and their vulnerability — in hopes the viewer can appreciate them and recognize their contributions.
Gallery
Partners
About the Project
The digital exhibition "United States and Mexico: A Powerful Past, a Shared Future" allows virtual exploration of the art located in the Ambassador's residence in Mexico City. These works represent a visual narrative that delves into the lengthy relationship between the United States and Mexico - a shared history of struggle and hope. The U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Mexico and volunteers closely collaborated with Art in Embassies, Dr. Gilberto Cárdenas, the Televisa Foundation Collection and Archive, FEMSA Collection, Mexic-Arte Museum, Talley Dunn Gallery, Galerie Myrtis, and Dr. Isaac Masri to curate an exhibition that embodies the fight for civil and human rights, indigenous representation, and visions for the future.
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Credits
This Tapestry tour was created by CyArk with support from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. We would like to thank Ambassador Salazar, Angel Cabrales, Carlos Jackson, Santa Barraza, Tony Ortega and Arely Morales for providing their voices to the experience. We would also like to thank Art in Embassies, Dr. Gilberto Cárdenas, Colección y Archivo de Fundación Televisa, Colección FEMSA, Mexic-Arte Museum, Talley Dunn Gallery, Galerie Myrtis, and Dr. Isaac Masri who helped select and curate the artwork.
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