Enrique Nevárez
Location: College of DuPage
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
My research is based on historical references and Mexican culture within my artistic practice. I have developed a visual language that is reflective of my lived experience as a Latino of Mexican Catholic upbringing and as a queer man, realities that have often been at odds. Raised by the women in my family, the mechanics of how I create my works are inflected by the physicality of the traditions that have been passed to me, where similar labor and care used in the kitchen is instead used in my studio to blend and layer untraditional materials. Having periodically traveled to Mexico to research and document the everyday life and culture of my family in Mexico, I have developed a formula to create poured acrylic works that are made in conversation with my loved ones, using materials familiar to their life and practices.
I aim to bridge Mexican folkloric traditions with a celebration of the many dualities inherent to the Chicanx or Mexican American experience. With the ‘Olmec Trail: Culture and Legacy’ project, I plan to give a layout of the skyline of Dallas with possible Wichita portraits of the people from the past, with symbols intertwined on the Olmec fiberglass installation, connecting back to Texas and solidarity within our neighboring tribes forgotten geographically. Using warm, deep tones of pink, reds, and oranges in acrylic, thinking also about propagation of native plant motifs to sprinkle around that are specific to North Texas as part of my composition.
Title of Work: El Dragón Rosa
Description of Work: The Dragón is represented in different forms for the still mysterious Olmec Culture. I wanted to infuse my material language of confectionery white paste and acrylic with juxtapositions of a different visual representation of the “serpent-like attributes and dragon-esque qualities” connected to the Olmec Dragon. Furthermore, paying tribute to the Jade stone that had functions within rituals and ceremonies for them, I remembered my connections with Calaveritas branched from the Day of the Dead. The symbols carried throughout the dragon's back are from the Cascajal Block that are glyphs still yet to be deciphered and understood completely. I hope this visual of the Pink Olmec Dragon can be seen in a more celebratory direction from our biased westernized folklore lens of what they usually symbolize and look like. Pink is a powerful color with rich histories in Mexico, usually playful and potent to the eyes. I usually use it to draw attention to my viewers within my paintings/ installations. Even to the point where we have our own “Mexican Pink” attributed to us, cited by Ramón Valdiosera. To colors like Carmine also, produced naturally from Nopales for traditional textiles in the past. Red/Pink hues have had a presence within our roots in Mexican Culture.
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Timeline of Events
Artists in Mexico have begun painting and 15 national artists will arrive in May of 2024 to paint 15 heads here in DuPage County on-site at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage. This exciting international exhibition has already begun and will be completed in June of 2024.
Get Involved!
Artists can only participate by way of a sponsorship. Local, state and private institutions in the US or Mexico are invited to join in this unique opportunity to showcase modern-day murals reflecting Mexican American culture and regional interpretational art. We are confident that by participating in this project as a sponsor, you will be fulfilling the mission of your organization. Sponsors will be a part of a once in a lifetime opportunity to collaborate with multiple entities and organizations around North America, which can bring more awareness and support to your organization’s efforts. We are working together for one cultural, artistic, and educational purpose that will bring so many people together in a very unique way. Additionally, you will be supporting one of your local artists taking part in a major career opportunity that promises unique experiences, enhancement of their artistic skills, and a chance to display their talents on a monumental canvas. What an amazing opportunity!