South San Antonio News

Latinx and Mexican cultural identity themes are being explored in two new art exhibitions at the Centro de Artes Gallery in San Antonio's Historic Market Square. The gallery, which is free and open to the public, is dedicated to showcasing the Latino experience in the United States. The exhibits, by artists Efedefroy and Mike Alfaro and Gerardo Guillén, will be on display from February 8 to June 30, 2024.

The first exhibition, titled "Millennial Lotería: The LatinXperience," is a parody of the traditional Hispanic game of Lotería. Artists Mike Alfaro and Gerardo Guillén have replaced outdated stereotypes with modern counterparts that reflect the evolving identity of Latinx Millennials. The exhibit features over 270 Lotería cards that provide a snapshot of modern Latinx life. Alfaro expresses his excitement about the exhibition, stating, "One of my favorite experiences from the original Millennial Lotería launch was my visit to San Antonio, where I got to play the game with so many great people. Their reception of the game inspired me to keep dreaming bigger, so now that we're returning with an entire show, I feel incredibly proud."

On the second floor of the gallery, artist Efedefroy presents his exhibition titled "Permanencia Voluntaria." Hailing from Oaxaca, Mexico, Efedefroy combines pop culture icons from the eighties with figures from the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema to create postmodernist pop art. His work includes pieces that depict Frida Kahlo as Holly Golightly from "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and Mark Hamill with Mexican actress Maria Felix as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia from "Star Wars." This marks the first time Efedefroy's art will be displayed in the United States. Reflecting on this opportunity, he shares, "I feel very lucky and very grateful to be able to be part of the Latin American artists who have passed through these doors."

Krystal Jones, the Executive Director of the City of San Antonio's Department of Arts & Culture, highlights the significance of these exhibitions. "Pop culture captures the essence of everyday life and trends, and these exhibitions go a level deeper by also exploring diverse cultural expressions," she says. "The exhibitions blend playfulness and color while inviting visitors to explore new ideas and perspectives on social issues."

Centro de Artes Gallery, located in San Antonio's Zona Cultural, aims to tell the story of the Latino experience, with a particular focus on South Texas. The gallery showcases local and regional art, history, and culture, and features Latino artists and Latino-themed artworks. The gallery is always free to visit, and more information can be found at Sanantonio.gov/arts.

As these pop culture influenced exhibitions take over Centro de Artes Gallery, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the vibrant and thought-provoking artworks that explore Latinx and Mexican cultural identity. With a blend of playfulness, color, and social commentary, these exhibits offer a unique experience that celebrates the diversity and richness of the Latino experience.