Mujer Mexicana: The Crown of Roses and Thorns

        I had come across this collection as I was passing the R.W. Witt Gallery at Sac State which really seemed to have peaked my interest. The artist is Mayra Ramos Chavez, a student at Sac State whom I had seen at many of the on campus galleries, but I had never seen her work. This particular collection, as Chavez says, is to "explore Mexican culture and themes of identity." The artist presents to the viewer a series of works that are dreamlike and reflects on her past and past experiences.

        (Left) This was one of the first pieces that was seen upon entering the gallery. There is a young girls dress, a doll, votive candle and several other objects that are placed on the colored cloth with flowers down below. This installation-type work really shows a glimpse of things that might be considered very important to the artist and her culture, and they are perhaps her belongings as well.










The Girl with Strong Roots (left).

     The Church of the Town (cut paper and adhesive).
In Mexican culture, Roman Catholicism is a very important part of what is often practiced. I really felt this was a great monochromatic work that gives just enough detail without it being too much. (Left).

       Out of Mayra's collection this was the one work that stood out to me the most, and I'll have to admit is my favorite. Its title, Trust, seems to be rather fitting. It is a somewhat sensual work and yet is tender as the man embraces her. It is a oil on panel work and I think she has a great use of color. Looking at it closely, there is a lot of detail in the mans sombrero and vest. (Right).

(Above) A series of different paintings by the artist. Many of them portraits of Mexican women wearing traditional clothing. Though there was no definitive explanation, one might wonder who these women are and whether or not they were important figures in the artist's life.

 

This work, titled Lady Death and I (ink, chalk and charcoal) is one that is very daunting out of the Mayra Chavez's series. Though I am not certain, it seems to be alluding to the Day of the Dead, which is a Mexican holiday in which family and friends gather as to celebrate and pray for deceased loved ones. I have personally always found the subject of macabre to be fascinating, which is why I felt drawn to this piece. 

(Left) Valiant Woman, ink pen and watercolor. 

The Escape of the Love Within, charcoal on paper. 

Nuances De Vie: Photographic Printmaking in Three Mediums by Valerie Wheeler

            I had recently checked the new exhibition at the Else Gallery which featured CSUS Anthropologist and artist Valerie Wheeler. I had found out that she had passed away in January of this year, which was very saddening news. Though I never knew her personally, she was someone I would often see around Kadema hall. The exhibition was put on not only to show her work as an artist, but also as a celebration of life. Having read about about her from her obituary, she had lead very fascinating life and showed much determination as well. Her childhood was spent on farms in Michigan and Ohio and later went to college at the University of Nebraska and earned her PhD in Anthropology at the University of Oregon. Having taught at Sacramento state for over 40 years, Wheeler also had a major passion for photography and received an additional masters from Cal State in photographic art.

     Some of Valerie's photographic works are influenced by rural areas like farms and country homes. I really loved this one she had done of the old farm (right).

      As a child she was raised on farms in both Ohio and Michigan which must have been a very major influence for her photography. She partly owned a 200 year old family farm with other family members including Thomas Edison's sister (whom Edison had been a great-great uncle of hers).

     


    Besides photography, another part of her work also included print making. She used traditional platinum printing techniques which had also been considered to be very rare. In doing this, she was able to create black and white art photographs on a variety of subjects. (Detail of print below).

 

       I particularly really liked this print, as it was somewhat reminded me of a Baroque cathedral (above). I have always been fascinated by pipe organs and this print seemed to resemble one, though I am not certain if it is or not, as I had not seen a title plaque around this piece. 

 

Awkward selfie of me.