UTSA presents ‘Refined Reflections into the Formidable’ exhibit on January 27

“Refined Reflections into the Formidable” features pieces by 23 artists whose works span a broad range of approaches.

JANUARY 25, 2023 — UTSA will host “Refined Reflections into the Formidable: Contemporary Latino Art from the Zoe Diaz Collection,” an exhibition on display at the Russell Hill Rogers Galleries at the Southwest Campus from January 27 through March 11. This exhibition features 23 artists whose works span a broad range of approaches, including large-scale and intimate paintings, drawings, photographs and mixed-media sculptures reflecting themes of power and pride in cultural legacies, spirituality, family and everyday life.

“We are excited to welcome this beautiful and powerful exhibition to UTSA Arts, our unit dedicated to community arts education, public-facing performances and exhibitions and arts-based research,” said Tracy Cowden, the Roland K. Blumberg Endowed Professor at UTSA and special assistant to the dean for Community Engagement and the Arts. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to engage with an inspiring exhibition of works by important contemporary Latino artists.”

“This exhibition demonstrates a phenomenal integration of cultural and conceptual themes and approaches in contemporary art.”

Vincent Valdez’s “Recuerdo”

Artists on display at this exhibition include Connie Arismendi, José Luis Rivera Barrera, Enrique Chagoya, Adriana Corral, Ana Laura De La Garza, Alejandro Diaz, Gaspar Enriquez, Jenelle Esparza, Ana Fernandez, John Hernandez, Benito Huerta, Luis Jimenez, César Martínez, Esteban Ramón Pérez, Gloria Osuna Pérez, Alfred Quiroz, Chuck Ramirez, Al Rendon, artist Rubio, John Valadez, Vincent Valdez, Kathy Vargas and Joanna Armijo Zamarron.

“This exhibition demonstrates a phenomenal integration of cultural and conceptual themes and approaches in contemporary art. Included are works created by artists from several generations that present a range of imagery that takes viewers from reflections of the familiar to compelling intellectual and aesthetic journeys,” added Scott Sherer, professor of art history and Director of Galleries for UTSA Arts.

The exhibition is supported with funds from the Texas Commission on the Arts, the Flora Cameron Foundation and the Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992.

The opening reception will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, January 27, at the Russell Hill Rogers Galleries.

In conjunction with the exhibit, the San Antonio Museum of Art will present, “Lucy Lippard and Artists in Conversation: Contemporary Latino Art from the Zoe Diaz Collection,” from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 28. This special program will feature respected curator, activist and author Lucy Lippard whose presentation will focus on the powerful work of contemporary Latino artists. It will be followed by a conversation with exhibiting artists Corral, Valadez, Valdez and Vargas.

— Nick Ward