“Art is for me the only space where light and darkness, grotesque and beautiful, love and fear can be integrated with each other to give birth to a more complete whole. And because of that, I keep painting,” said Richie Morales, an artist.
Morales, a self-taught artist based in Madison, Wisconsin, showed his work at the Latino Arts, Inc. gallery. at the United Community Center in his exhibition “The Effects of Time on Memory – Los Efectos Del Tiempo An La Memoria.” The exhibition opened its doors on September 2 and closed on October 7.
Morales uses the medium of acrylic on canvas and the art featured vibrant colors with outlines of various objects on top of the paint. The pieces themselves are symmetrical as if there is a perfect balance between the two sides of the painting.
Through his artwork, Morales said he can reflect on his actions and how they are influenced by his culture and background.
“I paint about what touches me,” Morales said. “I reflect my culture through the color palette I choose along with the semiotics in terms of the nature and animals I use.”
Morales said his artwork in this exhibit was to portray the spiritual connection he has with the Earth, as it is a very important aspect of his Hispanic culture.
National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, overlapping with when the Morales exhibit is on display. Morales said he believes Hispanic Heritage Month doesn’t fully cover what it means to identify with Hispanic culture, but still recognizes its importance as a celebration through his art.
“I understand the necessity we have to reconnect with our country where we come from, and in that sense, I think it’s a great opportunity to share our rich and beautiful culture,” Morales said.
Dinorah Cortés-Vélez, a Latin American literature and culture and an associate professor of Spanish, emphasized the importance of the month to celebrate and recognize Hispanic culture, but said more people need to put effort into the month to make the impact it’s supposed to. have. do.
“I see National Hispanic Heritage Month as an opportunity to recognize, reflect and celebrate the rich heritage and contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States,” Cortés-Vélez said. If we do not commit to continue working for a climate of social inclusion and equal rights for migrants, the celebration itself will not have a meaningful impact on the lives of these communities.”
Latino Arts, Inc. is an organization dedicated to bringing Hispanic and Latino cultural awareness and educational opportunities to and from Milwaukee. They are located inside United Community Center of Milwaukee and attend in-person and virtual events that showcase the work and talent of artists.
Cortés-Vélez said organizations like Latino Arts, Inc. are vital to creating cultural advocacy in a segregated community like Milwaukee.
“This work is essential in terms of raising awareness of the beauty and richness of the artistic contributions of Latino communities in this country, and more specifically in Milwaukee. This work is a lifeline in the struggle for social inclusion and respect for the rights of these communities,” said Cortés-Vélez.
Morales said it meant a lot to him to display his work at the United Community Center, as much of his inspiration and techniques stem from his culture.
“Since childhood in Guatemala, I have experimented with textures and materials while working in the carpentry and construction trades that today I integrate into my painting,” said Morales. “My life is marked by signs of socio-economic violence, as well as legacies of personal and community resilience.”
This article was written by Phoebe Goebel. She can be reached at [email protected].
