The National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) in Albuquerque, NM is preparing to showcase a new guest-curated art exhibition that delves into the influence of artworks by incarcerated artists. Titled Paño Connections – Corazón Knows No Bounds, the exhibition is curated by Eric “Christo” Martinez and is set to open at the NHCC Visual Art Museum on Friday, Feb. 23.
NHCC Head Curator and Visual Arts Program Manager Jadira Gurulé expressed the center's excitement about the upcoming exhibition, stating, “We are incredibly honored to be working with Christo as an artist and the guest curator for this exhibition and the experience has been so meaningful as we learned about the stories behind each of the artworks.”
Martinez, a New Mexico artist who discovered his talent for painting while in prison, shared his perspective on the exhibition, emphasizing its significance beyond just showcasing art. He said, “It is real lives that express they are more than a number and statistic. It is parents, children, loved ones, and a growing movement to connect artists, communities, and organizations to take a new look and gather hard data from the success stories of what is possible through the arts and rehabilitation.”
The exhibition is a continuation of NHCC's exploration of the intersection between art and incarceration, following the success of their previous exhibition, Into the Hourglass: Paño Arte from the Rudy Padilla Collection. This latest exhibition aims to highlight artwork inspired by the paño movement and other art forms created by incarcerated artists, furthering the dialogue around the artistic traditions born within the United States prison system.
Starting on Feb. 23, the Paño Connections exhibition will be on display in the NHCC Community Gallery, featuring art by New Mexican artists. The NHCC will also host a free opening reception on the same day from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., providing an opportunity to engage with the featured artists.
The exhibition, supported by the McCune Foundation, will run until August 18, offering visitors a chance to explore the powerful and diverse artworks created by incarcerated individuals.
The National Hispanic Cultural Center, dedicated to preserving and promoting Hispanic culture, arts, and humanities, continues to be a hub for showcasing the rich artistic traditions of various communities. The center's commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding through art is exemplified in exhibitions like Paño Connections, which aim to shed light on the transformative power of artistic expression even in challenging circumstances.