Art exhibit offers taste of Mexican culture

Wednesday marked the opening day for "Transformacion: Dream of Oaxaca" art exhibit at Fullerton displaying a large selection from the MAW collection featuring artists from the Oaxaca region of Mexico.

The walls are filled with the rich culture of the Oaxacan people. It captures their lifestyle in great details and with the brightest colors imaginable. It also brings to light the unseen culture of Mexico and opens a window into their fascinating way of life.

Traditionally, the art gallery dedicates a show to the Latino heritage, which usually coincides with the Day of the Dead.

"In the past, we've featured artists from East L.A., but this time we crossed the border to go deeper into Mexico," Co-curator Jaime Perez said. He explained there is more to Mexico than a journey down the 5 freeway to Tijuana or Baja Mexico. "This exhibit embodies the spirit of the culture," said Perez.

One painting named "The Awesome Party", by Humberto Bautista reflects on a joyous party with characters who look like animals dancing in bright greens, blues and reds. Their bodies are depicted in shapes of diamonds and squares resembling that of jester's suit.   

Transformacion is Carol Henke, interim gallery director, and it's her second art show at Fullerton College, her first was "Lines and Patterns".

"I love the lively energy it brings to the gallery. The colors are so exciting," said Henke.

Upon walking in a large face mask of a cat with big teeth and mirrors for eyes hangs on a wall its named "Mascara de Transformacion", the artist is unknown. This mask creates an image of the things the Oaxacan people may fear or possibly respect in nature.

There is a handful of Day of the Dead sculptures celebrating those who have died displayed in a glass case. One of the sculptures is a guitar player in a mariachi band.

Dean of Fine Arts, Robert Jensen spoke at the opening reception expressing his gratitude to all who were involved with the production of the show.

"The exhibit is so luminescent I feel if you turned off the lights the characters would begin dancing," said Jensen.

This collection represents the fears and hopes as well as the vitality of the culture, "and is a peek from the corners of their mind," added Jensen.

He encourages everyone at Fullerton College to return with friends and family to discover this wonderful collection.

The exhibit is free and will be open until Tuesday, November 8. The galleries hours are Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m.

Evening hours are offered from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on select days only. Please visit the fine arts website for more details, www.art.fullcoll.edu.