Two years ago, the Wall was just a stupid thing that would never get built. Now it’s still not going to be built, but as a metaphor it is a powerful symbol of hatred that could permanently damage relations with our neighbors.
Hopefully art exhibits like the one of Oaxacan artists that opened at Wayne State University’s Elaine L. Jacob Gallery will send a message that we Americans do appreciate our neighbors, for their contributions to our culture specifically, and as human beings in general.
I had hoped to talk to the artists. I would have written an article for El Central which would have mentioned that the interviews were conducted in English. I don’t know if it was ever the plan for the artists to come to Michigan, but understandably, they did not.
I did talk to the curator of the exhibit, Marilyn Wheaton, Director of the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum at Saginaw Valley State University, where the exhibit was over the summer, and she did tell me about how much everyone has enjoyed the exhibit so far.
“Kids especially love the wood carvings of animals," Wheaton said, referring not just to the children at the WSU opening, but also children who’ve seen the exhibit in Saginaw.
Everyone, young and old alike, were enthralled by the fantastic and often brightly colored sculptures of birds, foxes, dogs and other animals.
The exhibit also includes a few paintings, and a set of figurines by Leticia García Bianco of dozens of people engaged in a turkey dance.
Wheaton selected artwork by eight artists in Oaxaca to bring to Michigan, most of them sculptors.
It’s an idea that had been in the works since 2015. "We book two years out," explained Tom Pyrzewski, Director of Galleries at WSU.
Back in 2015, Wheaton visited friends in Oaxaca just before the Day of the Dead celebrations there, and she visited the studio of Fernando Félix Peguero García, a young artist working in ceramics.
That was when the idea for the exhibit began to take shape in Wheaton’s mind. She told me she had no trouble at all at the airport, even though she did carry three large bags full of small artwork.
The exhibit will be at WSU until December 15. The Elaine L. Jacob Gallery is located at 480 W. Hancock. Gallery hours are on Tuesdays through Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (to 7:00 p.m. on Fridays).