Exhibition features old Mexican art form
Long before the advent of high calibre printing presses, cameras and computers, the art of reproducing pretty pictures had to be done by hand, using what would be considered by today’s standards, primitive tools. But the art of zincography, or engraving images onto metal sheets, then using acid to corrode untreated areas of the surface, continues to be a popular art form…especially in Mexico. For the next three and a half weeks, the works of one of that country’s best known old masters of this art will be on display at the Mexican Cultural Institute on the Newtown Barracks. Jorge Lopez is cultural attaché at the Mexican Embassy.
Jorge Lopez, Mexican Cultural Attache
?There are fifty-two engravings of Jose Guadalupe Posada, one of the most influential artists in Mexico. Greatly renowned by many during his time, and admired by great Mexican mural painters such as Diego Rivera, Jose Clemente Orosco and David Alfaro Sequieros. He set the foundation for modern expressionistic art.?
?The first part is about skulls. Skulls are very popular in Mexico and during the early 1900?s it was common to see them printed on newspaper pages and sold to the public. Posada was well known for this type of artistic expression. The second part focuses on contemporary expressions of that time, which are of a much higher quality. We also have some religious images, as well as newspaper clippings from the time that talk about everyday life, crime, kidnappings, arrests and so on. So those are the two most important components of the exhibition.?
?This is a travelling exhibition. The collection is the property of the Mexican government and the pieces have been shown all over Central America over the last two years. From here they will go to other countries in the region, as well as South America. We have displayed them in the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa. It?s important for Mexico to let other people know about the important contribution of Mexican artists that are not contemporary, but that gave way to contemporary Mexican art.?
Lopez says the exhibition, which will run until March fifteenth, is open to the public, free of charge. At the end of the exhibition, the artworks will move on to Guatemala and El Salvador.
