David Amoroso
Roxana Bravo
Karlisima
Baby Martinez
Jose Piedra
Nicholas Shi
Elena Maza
Juan Pineda

COLLEGE PARK, MD – The Union Gallery at the University of Maryland presents Visualizing El Barrio, an exhibition of works by David Amoroso, Roxana Bravo, Karlisima, Elena Maza, Gabriel Martinez, Jose Piedra, Juan Pineda and Nicholas Shi. The exhibition, curated by Robb Hernandez, runs from August 6 – September 13, 2007 with a closing reception on Thursday, September 6, 2007 from 5 – 7 pm.

Visualizing El Barrio presents painting, watercolor, photography, performance installation and documentary as it unfolds a story of eight local artists’ interpretation of the streets, homes, and landscapes of Washington D.C. Latino neighborhoods. David Amoroso translates his interviews with local workers into oil paintings representing nationhood, struggle, exploitation and urban masculinity. In her documentary photographs, Roxana Bravo captures the everyday life of these Latino neighborhoods from the mundane to the daily struggles of immigrant vendors. Karlisima’s paintings utilize bold, vibrant color and ancient Mayan myth to describe the Capitol Building as an elevated architectural icon of Western civilization and achievement. Elena Maza borrows scenes from Roxana Bravo’s photographs in her watercolors of the landscape of Latino neighborhoods. Gabriel Martinez brings racial, national, and political configurations to life in his performance, photography, and installation pieces. In his oil paintings, Pepe Piedra explores the lives of the residents of Latino neighborhoods within the capitol. Nicholas Shi’s mixed-media photographic collage demonstrates the deconstruction and political contestation of Latino identity, borders, and American citizenry.

The Union Gallery is located on the first floor of the Stamp Student Union on the campus of the University of Maryland. All events are free and open to the public.  Summer hours are 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.  

The Union Gallery is supported in part by the Prince George's Arts Council and Pepsi Enhancement Funds.

For more information, the public may call (301) 314-8493 or visit the Union Gallery’s website at www.union.umd.edu/gallery.

Nicholas Shi
The Price of the American Dream
72" x 60", mixed media on canvas


Roxana Bravo
Street Vendors Series
photographs


Elena Maza
Adams Morgan Cafe
15" x 22", watercolor


David Amoroso
Viajero #4
36” x 48”, acrylic


Jose Piedra
Secrets
36” x 48”, acrylic


Gabriel Martinez
photographs


Juan Pineda
We Live in El Barrio
Aerosol and Latex on Canvas, 2007