Exploring heritage focus of new Bradley Gallery exhibit
Wisconsin-based artist Jacob Bautista will explore his personal heritage in a new exhibition, “Cara De Nopal,” which opens at Lakeland University’s Bradley Gallery on Friday, November 8.
An opening reception with the artist is set from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The exhibit will be available through December 6. The Bradley Gallery is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, when Lakeland is in session.
The artwork of the Texas native chronicles creating a more vital understanding of his identity through an exploration of his past and familial history. The title of the exhibit translates to face of a cactus in English.
“This is a saying used to describe a person who looks of Mexican heritage and usually has more indigenous features,” said Bautista, who lives in Madison, Wis., and works as a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, teaching various art classes, including printmaking.
“While I am Hispanic and have extended family in Mexico, I have never visited. I am often spoken to in Spanish, but, unfortunately, I am not fluent in Spanish. I thought it was ironic to be called a Cara de Nopal but still feel distant to that heritage. This complex idea of being Mexican or Hispanic enough is something I want to explore more and did so in creating this body of work.”
Bautista said he was interested in symbols from his childhood like Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Nike Cortez and exploring their narratives linked to colonialism and a mixing of Spanish and indigenous Mexica culture.
“Through learning from these intersecting narratives of my life I can learn more of myself as well as those closest to me, he said. “My hope that anyone looking at this body of work can gain insight into a culture different than theirs, growing empathy. For those who do relate, they feel pride in seeing pieces of the culture brought into fine art.”
Bautista received his bachelor of fine arts in printmaking from West Texas A&M and his master of fine arts in printmaking from the University of Wisconsin Madison.
His work has been included in various exhibitions such as Magic Wilderness group exhibition at the Museum of Wisconsin Art and the juried Extreme Pressure Biennial Print exhibition, where he was awarded second place for his work.
