Mexican sculptor works leather, stone, metal

The latest art exhibition at the Mexican Cultural Institute continues that forum’s policy of presenting shows that, while not always pretty, are never ordinary. News 5’s Patrick Jones has a preview.

Patrick Jones, Reporting
Come with an open mind. That?s how Mexican artist Jeannette Betancourt wants visitors to view this travelling collection of her works.

Jeannette Betancourt, Sculptor
?This exhibition you will find approximately thirty pieces, all basically work in leather, metal and stone. And they are pieces that invite the public to have a dialogue with them, to discover their significance. That?s why the exhibition is called ?Alternate Meanings?. The public gives a new meaning to the pieces.?

In other words, what you see might not necessarily be what the artist sees… And that?s the way the sculptor likes it, and why she chose to work with various media, primarily leather.

Jeannette Betancourt
?Because it was an eloquent tool to talk about the human condition. It?s spirituality, it?s morale, it?s ethics. Because after people see the show, they will see the names and they will find these subjects in the pieces.?

The theme of the exhibition is ethics and spirituality; subjects which Betancourt says are broad enough for everyone to appreciate. This is her way of communicating with her public.

Jeannette Betancourt
?Art is about being in contact with people. And I appreciate the opportunity that art has given me to travel so much around the world to meet such wonderful people in every place that I go.?

Betancourt says she has recently expanded her choices and works with rubber, a medium which she says gives a different scope for communicating with people. Patrick Jones, for News Five.

The exhibition, which will run until July first at the Mexican Cultural Institute, is open during normal working hours, Monday to Friday. At its conclusion the exhibition will travel to Costa Rica. Betancourt says she will be giving a lecture on sculpting leather on Thursday afternoon. The event is open to the general public and is free of cost.