(Left): Devyn Galindo, We Are Still Here (detail), 2017, © 2017 Devyn Galindo, photo courtesy of the artist (Center): Maria de Los Angeles, Deportation Series, 2017, © 2017 Maria de Los Angeles, photo courtesy of the artist (Right): Victor Estrada, Figure in an American Landscape II, 2013, courtesy of Richard Telles Fine Art, Los Angeles © 2017 Victor Estrada, photo by Gene Ogami, courtesy of the artist
A Universal History of Infamy
January 27 - October 6, 2018
Charles White Elementary School
2401 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Open Saturdays, 1–4 pm.
As part of the multisite exhibition A Universal History of Infamy, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art presents an exhibition curated by artist and educator Vincent Ramos at the museum's satellite gallery within Charles White Elementary School. By displaying works by contemporary Latino artists, writers, and activists exploring loss, resilience, and the political potential of poetic expression alongside several pieces from LACMA’s collection, Ramos exposes a shared impulse across generations to use art as a powerful method of resistance.
Artists in the exhibition include Isabel Avila, Raul Baltazar, Roberto Chavez, Victor Estrada, Carlee Fernandez, Devyn Galindo, Héctor García, Jacinta González, Raul Guerrero, Fred Lonidier, Maria de Los Angeles, Yvette Mayorga, Delilah Montoya, Jorge Orozco Gonzalez, Betsabeé Romero, Peter Saul, Fritz Scholder, Rufino Tamayo, Teresita de la Torre, Patricia Valencia, Linda Vallejo, Emmett Walsh, and Max Yavno; with commissioned texts by Rocío Carlos, Sesshu Foster, Carribean Fragoza, and Stephanie Guerrero.
“The works borrowed from LACMA’s collection run the historical gamut, from ancient times to today,” said Vincent Ramos. “It should be mentioned that there are other cultural voices present in the show as well. There are contributions from Native American artists, like the late Fritz Scholder, as well as non-Latino artists directly from the 20th-century art historical canon. All of the artists, regardless of their specific cultural background, have been fearless in their approach to commenting on their respective times. That is ultimately where their connectivity lies.”
“On the occasion of Pacific Standard Time, and as a part of A Universal History of Infamy at LACMA and 18th Street Art Center in Santa Monica, this exhibition affords an opportunity to address relevant issues and broad themes through our partnership with Charles White students and the MacArthur Park community,” said Jane Burrell, Senior Vice President of Education and Public Programs at LACMA. “Vincent Ramos’ selection of works from emerging artists and LACMA’s collection was thoughtfully curated to engage the students and visitors.”
Charles White Elementary School opened in 2004 on the former campus of Otis College of Art and Design. The school is named for artist Charles White (1918– 1979), who taught at Otis for many years. LACMA has been programming exhibitions at the school since 2007.
