The photographs capture a moment in time.
They also set up.
It is a medium that is precise, but in precision there is room for discussion.
These are some of the reasons behind the “Tempo y Tiempo” exhibit at the Hispanic National Cultural Center Art Museum, which is currently open to the public. This is the first new exposure to OCNC since the start of the pandemic.
“These artists use photography as a way to tell stories of experiences,” explains Jadira Gurulé, curator of the OCNC. “Some of the common themes are family and spirituality. There is a lot of work to be done through the struggle and the importance of where and how we deal with it. “
“Tempo y Tiempo” features photographs by four artists working in New Mexico – Frank Blazquez, Bobby Gutierrez, Pico del Hierro-Villa and Ximena Montez.
Gurulé says that collectively the artists tell stories about what it’s like to live in New Mexico, portraying a range of identities, experiences and moments.
The exhibition is held in the community gallery of the art museum.
“The space is dedicated to showcasing New Mexican artists,” she says. “We are delighted to have something new in the museum as the previous exhibit had been in place for some time.”
Gurulé and the staff of the visual arts department worked on the redesign of the space for “Tempo y Tiempo”.
She always wanted to organize a photography exhibition.
“I have a personal appreciation for photography,” says Gurulé. “We have photography expertise in the visual arts department and this was an opportunity to have a collaborative process. “
Gurulé saw photographs all over town and contacted the four photographers.
“(Their work) is thought-provoking and contains important stories. It was a good opportunity to present artists that we have never been able to present.
The exhibition contains 38 photos – 15 each for Gutierrez and Montez, and four each for del Hierro-Villa and Blazquez.
“We have four works (by Pico) that explore queer Chicanx identity,” she says. “There is a well-rounded story about identity and healing. “
Blazquez is known for his street photography. He has some of his pieces in the permanent collection of the OCNC.
“He takes care of a lot of portraits,” she says. “One of his gifts is that he is able to capture the essence or the aura.”
Meanwhile, Gutierrez stays busy and Gurulé has noticed his work.
“One of the things Bobby does is capture moments that would otherwise be fleeting,” she says. “It captures them and makes them incredibly stimulating. They are snapshots in time.
Gurulé says that Montez’s work is part of a larger series called “How to Pretend to be a Matriarch”.
“She uses dichos or sayings from her family,” she says. “It incorporates old family photographs and new ones. Each is suited to what it means to be a matriarch.
