SURFACE TREATMENT: Mexican Graphics - A Vision into the 21st Century

The exhibit “Mexican Graphics: A Vision into the 21st Century” is currently on display at UTPA’s COAS Art Gallery. This exhibition of prints documents a collaboration between UTPA and The Mexican Association of Fine Arts Research, a leading printmaking group in Mexico.

The Mexican Association was formed with the idea of promoting printmaking. This collaboration is a portfolio exchange. Alejandro Alvarado Carreño is the master printmaker at the Academia de San Carlos located in Mexico City; the Mexican prints in the portfolio donated to UTPA are the work of his students. “This will be a valuable addition to the Permanent Collection,” said Dahlia Guerra, Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, “as a research source for faculty, students, and art professionals.”

Cactus, Woodcut, by Alejandro Alvarado Carreño

The Art Department offered their own portfolio of prints in return. Benjamîn Martînez, a recent MFA graduate, was instrumental in arranging this exchange. All prints are traditional in technique, including Printmaking processes such as, intaglio, lithography, silkscreen, woodcut, and monoprints.

Printmaking has had an important place in every nation’s development. The Academia de San Carlos was founded in 1781 as the School of Engraving, and was the first major art institution in the Americas. In the 20th century, it was integrated with the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Its original purpose was to service the mint in its production of gold and silver coinage to be sent to Spain. Government stamps and seals of various official insignia were also a part of its output.

Cactus 2, Woodcut, by Alejandro Alvarado Carreño

According to presenter Kevin Patrick Lopez, the Mexican Association have as their goal the task of preserving these traditional processes. “It’s the universities, such as the Corcoran School of Art, that continue the process of traditional printmaking,” said Lopez. “Most of these techniques have fallen by the wayside due to new technologies such as computers.”

Cactus, Woodcut, by Alejandro Alvarado Carreño

The works on display in the Gallery are beautifully crafted examples of traditional Mexican prints. Alejandro Alvarado Carreño also contributed a number of works to this project. Cactus, a woodcut, shows the influence of an early 20th century European style on the mid-century Mexican aesthetic.

Exodo de Mexicano, wood cut, by Irene Decerril

 In the woodcut, Exodo Mexicano by Irene Decerril, a group of faceless people crowd together on their way to work or school. There is a mix of professions, ages, and ethnicities. Two prints set themselves apart by moving beyond what we might consider traditional subjects. M/T, an abstract monoprint by Benjamîn Casas, offers interesting shapes achieved by drawing into an inked plate, then further wiping away ink to establish shape, rather than reveal it, as the intaglio process would demand.

Wayhel, lithograph, by Martha Patricîa Medellin Martînez

Wayhel, a lithograph by Martha Patricia Medellin Martînez, suggests a folk tale. A partially clad girl is shown bare from the waist up, but with the legs and tail of a fox.

The intent of these traditional prints was to capture the moment and the spirit, and communicating what is essentially Mexico.

Nancy Moyer, Professor Emerita of Art from UTPA, is an art critic for The Monitor. She may be reached at nmoyer@rgv.rr.com