Perennial Boundaries

Perennial Boundaries
On View October 27, 2016 through January 21, 2017
RUIZ-HEALY ART 201-A East Olmos Drive, San Antonio Texas 78212
Opening Reception 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday, October 27, 2016
Catalogue written by Dr. Amelia Malagamba-Ansótegui
Artist Talk Saturday, October 29th at 1:00

In a time when the upcoming elections have border policies at the forefront of the agenda, Ruiz-Healy Art has organized an exhibition of contemporary art rooted in the socio-political experience of the U.S /Mexico border and Texas. RHA is pleased to present Perennial Boundaries , an exhibition showcasing the artwork of Margarita Cabrera, César Martínez, Fernado Andrade, and Michael Menchaca.

Perennial Boundaries examines the infinite thread that a manmade confine such as a geographical divide creates. The works included in this show provide the viewers with insights into the interests and concerns that have guided the creative impulses of these artists in their careers. Each artist is working in an individualistic practice that hones symbols of the Tejano and Mexicano frontera, whether from the deep indigenous past or inspired by contemporary realities.

We are pleased to present two emerging guest artists for this exhibition, Fernando Andrade and Michael Menchaca, who are juxtaposed with Margarita Cabrera and César Martínez in an exciting dialogue of borderland culture and ideology. From classic vato paintings and soft-sculpture cacti constructed of border patrol uniforms, to play weapons of children's imagination, to video game aesthetics that employ a pre-Columbian visual vocabulary--this exhibition is an eclectic mix of homage and critical discussions of living in la frontera.

Fernando Andrade was born in the border town of Acuña, Mexico but moved with his family to San Antonio at seven years old due to the ongoing turmoil in his community brought on by the feuding drug cartels. Haunted by the news headlines and personal stories of horrific violence emerging from his hometown, along with the loss of a close friend, Andrade has devoted most of his artistic career thus far to the subject of the violence on the U.S./Mexico border.

As an extension to his previous series, Andrade continues the thread of contrasting innocence with violence in God Bless America. In this body of work, sculptures are cast to replicate sticks that allude to the shapes of semi automatic rifles and tactical shotguns. Estudios de un cuerpo, is perhaps Andrade's darkest approach to this subject matter to date. Rendered with realism and white pencil on a black fibrous paper, Andrade uses grayscale to convey the countless victims of such senseless violence that thousands of people have disappeared or perished as a result.

Michael Menchaca earned his master's degree from the prestigious Rhode Island School of design in 2015 with a concentration in printmaking. A native to San Antonio, a the age of only thirty-one Menchaca's work has been featured in numerous museums and institutions, including: The Contemporary Austin-Laguna Gloria, Austin, TX; National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, IL; Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN; Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK; Mexic-Arte Museum, Austin, TX; Provincetown Art Museum, Provincetown, MA; Mitte Gallery, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX; RISD Museum, Providence, RI; Vincent Price Art Museum, Monterey Park, CA; Carolina Museum of Art, Raileigh, NC; Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, Albuquerque, NM; Austin City Hall, Austin, TX; Latino Cultural Center, Dallas, TX; Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY; Southwest School of Art, San Antonio, TX and University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.

Menchaca has created a playful cartoon like narrative to tackle heavy issues as well. In his work the protagonists are the cats, representing the immigrants, who are always at odds with the rats who are the drug smugglers.

Founded in 2004, and located in the historic Olmos Park District of San Antonio, Ruiz-Healy Art specializes in contemporary art with an emphasis on Latin American and Texas connected artists. To request high-resolution images and more information about the exhibition, please contact the gallery at 210-804-2219. Gallery hours are Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 -4:00 p.m. and by appointment.
Perennial Boundaries will be on view through January 21, 2017.