Inspired by 20-years of ongoing artistic organizing by Neo-Latino Collective, a primarily East Coast-based group of artists founded in 2003 to create a space for the Latinx voice within the collective artistic landscape, Una Palabra de Lucha is a group exhibition featuring artists from Neo-Latino Collective with Portland based artists that dialogue around the unattainable oneness of Latinity, and why identity is a fighting word. This core exhibition will take place within Stelo’s flex space located on the North Park Blocks in downtown Portland, with satellite programming happening at partner locations throughout the duration of the exhibition.
Co-curated by Diana Cuartas and Marcelo Fontana, the exhibition takes its name from an interview with Julio Cortázar, where he raised questions about the impossibility of a uniform idea of Latin American identity, exploring the need to build community in spite of these complexities in order to create networks of support and subvert the othering gaze.
The core exhibition at Stelo will be focused on the Latinx diaspora, but the whole program will be open to other relationships surrounding identity and community in Portland.
Satellite exhibitions and programs being organized in partnership with peer arts and culture organizations will feature additional local artist collectives and will focus on creating opportunities for creative communities to cross-pollinate and share ideas and experiences.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITING ARTISTS
Neo-Latino Collective artists: Hugo Xavier Bastidas, Olga Mercedes Bautista, Lisette Morel, Nelson Alvarez, Michael Barreto, Monica Camin, Christie Devereaux
Oregon based artists: Heldáy de la Cruz, Laura Camila Medina, Diego Morales Portillo, Julia Sodré, Manu Torres, Patricia Vázquez Gómez
Organizer
Stelo illuminates the power of art to invite conversation and build community. We are dedicated to responsive models of support via partnerships, collaboration, and exchange.