Mexican art, activism inspire UIC exhibit

Untitled woodblock print by Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaca (click on image for larger size)

The University of Illinois at Chicago Social Justice Initiative will present “Chicagoaxaca” an exhibition of woodblock prints addressing social issues in Mexico and Chicago.

WHEN:

Opening reception: Oct. 22, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Exhibition on view through May 9, 2014; Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 1 to 4 p.m.
(Viewing hours subject to change.)

WHERE:

Pop Up JUST Art Center
729 W. Maxwell St.

DETAILS:

The Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaca, a Mexican political street art group, was formed during a 2006 grassroots social movement in that city.

Untitled woodblock print by Assembly of Revolutionary Artists of Oaxaca (click on image for larger size)

The collective created woodblock prints, stencils and silk-screen paintings to address various social issues and create greater public conversation related to their concerns.

The UIC-based display of their woodblock prints, created from 2006 to 2008, aims to engage local audiences with social justice issues in Chicago, such as violence, privatization, immigration, gender, housing segregation and food disparities.

Curator of the project is Iván Arenas, a UIC visiting scholar and Mexican-American researcher whose work focuses on the relationship between urban space and political subjects. He is a practicing artist who trained as an architect.

Admission is free. Call (312) 355-5922.

Updates on viewing hours and related public programming.