Art exhibit features 27 faculty members

The 2012 UTEP Department of Art Biennial Faculty Exhibition will open its doors Jan. 26 through March 31 at the Stanlee and Gerald Rubin Center. The exhibit will feature artwork done outside the proper lines of institution from 27 members of the Department of Art.

"We have some excellent teaching artists on campus," said Kerry Doyle, associate curator and assistant director. "It's an opportunity for the campus and the community to see the recent work that these artists have done."

All artwork that will be displayed has been done in the past two years and never showcased in an exhibition.

"When we do a show, often we'll focus on a single media. We'll have a painting exhibition or a sculpture exhibition," Doyle said. "This is a chance to see work all the way across the board. There's almost everything you could possibly work with, artistically, represented at this show."

Putting together the exhibition is Gwen F. Chanzit, curator of modern and contemporary art and the Herbert Bayer Collection and Archive at the Denver Art Museum.

"I have worked with Kate Bonansinga, director of the Rubin Gallery, on several projects over many years," Chanzit said. "As a longtime curator of modern and contemporary art, I enjoy the process of selecting art work for exhibitions. It's very gratifying to see the installation come together as a whole."

To begin piecing together the blueprint of what the exhibit should look like, Chanzit met with each faculty member who shared their work.

"In every case, as we discussed their work, it became clear which material would best represent the direction of their art and their particular passion and expertise," Chanzit said. "The selections are based on quality of both concept and execution, as well as consideration of how the selections would be presented as a complete exhibition in the Rubin Center."

Chanzit brings a fresh taste in selecting the artwork she chooses to display. This will create a special catalyst as a whole in the exhibit rather than having a predictable outcome.

"I've been impressed with the cultural milieu. So much of what one sees here is unique to place," Chanzit said. "Many cities in the United States take on a sameness, but that is not true here. The mix of cultures enriches El Paso enormously and provides the basis for its very special visual culture."

There is one universal idea that Chanzit finds orbiting the creativity of the faculty members.

"The border is the singular element in El Paso with profound impact on artists. Almost every artist I met addresses issues concerning the border," Chanzit said. "I can think of nowhere else in this country where there is an element with such impact. The art made here is both, informed and enriched by these issues."

Sarah De La Garza, UTEP graduate student, browses the gallery and stops to examine one piece done by art lecturer Francisco Delgado. The giant canvas is a monochromatic piece that depicts a clown encircled and wrestling snakes, which Garza said is completely different then anything she's seen him do.

"This is a lot darker than most of the work that he's done in the past," Garza said. "Most of his work is politically motivated, having to do with the border."

Kristopher Rivera may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.