Placita Latina Exhibition

reflections : reflexiones

The Decatur Arts Alliance presents the 4th annual Placita Latina Exhibition. This juried exhibition aims to celebrate and showcase the rich and diverse heritage of Latinx and Hispanic culture. This year’s theme, “reflections:reflexiones”, invited artists to submit works that explore, reflect, and honor their experience of cultural legacy in 2024. Join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a street market closing reception, filled with traditional food, lively music, and local artists.

About the Exhibition

This year’s Placita Latina Exhibition is produced by the Decatur Arts Alliance in conjunction with local organizing group, Placita Latina Decatur, with support from the Decatur Tourism Bureau. Join us for a closing reception with a street mini-mercado, artist talks, delicious food and drinks, and fun music!

Exhibition Run: Sep. 20 – Oct. 20, 2024

Location: Decatur Arts Alliance Gallery • 113 Clairemont Ave.

Gallery Hours: Monday to Friday • 10am – 4pm

Closing Reception: Friday, Sep. 18 • 6:30 – 9pm

About Placita Latina

Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic-Americans, who hail from the 30+ countries and territories that make up Latin America. Communities all over the US mark the achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans with festivals and educational activities.

In 2021, a group of local Hispanic/Latinx residents/professionals/friends came together to propose a colorful, cultural, and historical series to be held throughout this special month.

The result is Placita Latina, a fun-filled, festive schedule of “mini-events” that highlight Hispanic/Latinx performance, food, and culture that all take place in Decatur, GA.

Exhibition Catalog

Miedo a Mirar

Natalie Arrué

Miedo a Mirar is a textile piece originally made by my grandmother with printed photographs I have sewn into the piece, that are of my mother and I. In this series of images, I explore the fear of aging and the relationship I have with beauty that has been passed down generationally. I use the the knit blanket as a generational medium, conversing with old traditions and new.

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Cafe con Pan

Reinilda Blair

This piece is very close to my heart, as it vividly captures my mother’s hands holding a cup of coffee (with coffee beans growing out of it) and a piece of bread—quintessential elements of a typical Dominican breakfast that traces back to our Taíno heritage. Set against the lush, green backdrop of my hometown, Bonao, this artwork is a testament to the beauty of simple, everyday moments and our profound connection with nature. It invites you to pause and appreciate the harmony that surrounds us.

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Allegory of a Nation

Leylis Burnette

In the intricate tapestry of a nation’s identity, each generation weaves a new chapter, stitching together the vibrant hues and timeless symbols that capture the essence of its cultural heritage. The “Allegory of a Nation” reflects this rich legacy that unveils the contemporary resonance of Peru’s enduring traditions in a simbolic manner.

From the infectious rhythms of peruvian cumbia, and the nation’s beloved folkloric-pop sound with its neon colorful posters, to the verdant tapestry of its natural wonders and resources, this allegory celebrates the distinctive traits that define the Peruvian people. These are the “threads” that connect the past to the present, a shared language of the heart that transcends borders and invites the world to experience the authentic spirit of this land.

Whether the viewer was born in a Latino American country or not, the “Allegory of a Nation” speaks to the universal language of belonging. It is a testament to the enduring spirit that binds a people to their roots, honoring the authentic voices to cherish the unique character that defines a nation.

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Jibaro

Rafael Caraballo

The Puerto Rican jibaro is the representation of the fighter and worker of the land and the countryside of the center of the island. term commonly used in Puerto Rico to refer to the Puerto Ricans or Puerto Ricans who live in the mountainous region in the center of the island, whose culture and way of life, even at the arrival of the US military in 1898, kept much of the original culture. of their main ancestors: the Spanish of the Canary Islands.

This work is on loan from the personal collection of Norma Caraballo.

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Long Live Abuelita Knowledge

Edric Figueroa

Two years ago Abuela left this realm. She passed away appropriately on the so-called Easter Sunday. A fact my family jokes she would have been so thrilled with… to go out on a holiday with deep pagan roots but revered in Christian culture.

Today we hide the eggs for joy and celebration instead of burying them for fertility but the message of Spring remains. Slow dance swith death in darkness cannot last forever; the music will stop, the sun will bring warmth to your forehead like a lover’s kiss or Abuela’s bendiciones and life will begin again.

In the privacy of her home, she embraced the knowledge passed on by the ancestors who hold her now. I wonder what secret medicine would have been released into the world if her body were burned with a grimoire and not a bible. She is my inspiration to lean in intuition … to give and receive healing from the earth and the smiles or sorrows that surround me.

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El Mohan

Diana Gonzalez

The myth of El Mohan, a significant figure in Colombia’s Huila region, portrays a mysterious creature with flowing hair, sharp nails, and oversized hands guarding treasure in a riverside cave. Despite his scary appearance, he often indulges in playful pranks, like stealing fish from fishermen and startling women by first seducing them and then revealing his true form. This renowned myth tells the story of a being capable of both mischief and fear. El Mohan’s presence is linked to Huila, where sightings occur.

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El Pollo Malo

Diana Gonzalez

El Pollo Malo (literally “Evil Chicken”) is an unusual folkloric monster from Colombian legends. This mythical creature stems from the folklore of rural Colombia, particularly the region of El Tolima. The legend tells of an ordinary chicken transformed into a malevolent being possessed by an evil spirit during an exorcism. El Pollo Malo now wanders the desolate roads, preying upon those who succumb to vices.

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La Diosa Bachue

Diana Gonzalez

La Diosa Bachué, a myth rooted in the indigenous culture of Altiplano Cundiboyacense in Boyacá, Colombia, is a tale of profound significance. It tells of Bachué’s emergence from the depths of Lake Iguaque, holding a young boy, ultimately giving rise to the Muisca people. Through her, they learned timeless wisdom and guiding principles. I invite viewers to reimagine the genesis of an entire civilization and to embrace the nurturing power embodied by this goddess.

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La Matraca

Diana Gonzalez

In the myth of “La Matraca” a beautiful woman emerges from a casket, enchanting men with her allure. However, as they approach, they discover she is actually dead. Three goats appear along the path, warning of her impending arrival. Those who ignore the signs are drawn in, only to face a chilling fate as they realize the truth—her beauty is a trap, and they become victims of her tragic story. This tale serves as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of temptation and deception.

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Rising

Cristina Montesinos

Rising is a painting that captures a part of the mystery of life, death and renewal. With blacks, creams and golds swirling and dancing around each other, the piece invokes a feeling of calm and peace amidst the chaos of change.

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Palma de Pride

Natalie Moreno

“Palma de Pride” is a take to emphasize the significance of natural resources and cultural differences between Mexico and the U.S.. As a Mexican/American, something I’ve noticed is the use of natural resources that both countries practice. In Mexico, my family is surrounded by vegetation and a fresh atmosphere, for many natives rely on the use of their land for fresh riches that can be seen as a luxury as opposed to the U.S.. In the U.S., much of our produce is sourced from different states and countries, emphasizing a corporatized approach to nutrition that prioritizes commercial interest over local cultivation. This work brings light to the practicing value placed on natural resources in these two countries and cultures.

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Virgin de Estilo Cubista

Natalie Moreno

“Virgen De Estilo Cubista” is an exploration of design elements inspired from the creation of my heritage’s roots and delves into the cultural impact of religion. It reimagines religious references with geometric shapes and dynamic lighting, reflecting on how historical colonization and cultural exchange have influenced art and culture.

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#mommorSussua

Anji Raymond

#mommorSussua translates from the Kuna language into butterfly – butterfly. This authentic Mola comes from my father’s land of Panama, where the indigenous women hand stitch each patch using a reverse appliqué technique. From it, I was able to create a piece of abstract work which highlights the beauty in the stitching.

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#Gwaggawa

Anji Raymond

#Gwaggawa is the Kuna word for “Parrot” derived from the indigenous people of Panama. This work incorporates an authentic “Mola” upon abstract painting. It brings be great honor to be able to showcase this piece as a part of my parent’s land, Panama.

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Vestido Bosque

Vanessa Coaí Rodríguez Ortiz

Vestido bosque is a piece that honors the nature of Borikén. When I wear it, the fiery dance bursts forth, I feel a symbiosis between the folklore and the ecologies of my land.

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El Nopal En Las Manos

Maria Villarreal

For this submission, I decided to submit some of my photography work that I did this past month to encompus the idea of el nopal en la frente, but in this case, carrying it painfully and nostalgically on my hands, with the spikes and thorns constantly reminding me of what I left behind.

Elderly Woman

Lydia Welty-Montesinos

“Elderly Woman” is a pen-and-ink rendering that captures the hypnotic gaze of an elder whose wisdom and years of experience are palpable through her confident, knowing look. With a single glance, she conveys a thousand stories.

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The Okapi

Lydia Welty-Montesinos

“The Okapi” is a stylized, graphic rendering of the endangered okapi, a relative of the giraffe. Also known as the Congo giraffe, zebra giraffe, or African unicorn, this print highlights the animal’s distinctive features, especially its soft, gentle gaze. The drawing captures the majesty and uniqueness of the okapi, whose natural habitat in the Ituri Rainforest has been significantly reduced.

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They were all staring at the light

Lydia Welty-Montesinos

The coil vase, titled “They were all staring at the light,” is an homage to “Uzumaki,” the horror manga by Junji Ito. The story follows Kirie and Suichi as they investigate the growing obsession with spirals in their town. As the town’s fixation deepens, its inhabitants increasingly morph into grotesque, spiral-shaped entities. In the final chapter, Kirie and Suichi fall into a cavern where they encounter people transformed into spiraled stone ruins. Holding hands, they too become stone. The vase captures this transformation, depicting the figures from the last chapter coiled together into a single vase. The title is a direct quote from the final chapter of “Uzumaki.”

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Placita Latina Exhibition

reflections : reflexiones

About the Exhibition

About Placita Latina

Exhibition Catalog

Purchase Form