A series of works by some of the most prestigious modern and contemporary Latin American artists are now on display in an exhibit at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, where they will remain on view for public until January 17 of next year.
"Latitudes: Latin American Masters From the FEMSA Collection" offers 41 works done between the early 20th century and the 1980s, with famed painters such as Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Jose Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros among many others featured.
The exhibit is sponsored by Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A. (FEMSA), a brewing concern that is based in Mexico and exports and distributes products globally. The collection presents works by artists representing ten Latin American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Uruguay, and Venezuela. A highlight of the exhibit is the key examples of "Muralism," one of the greatest contributions of Latin American art, and a genre replete with social and political ideas. The exhibit includes works by Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros of such large proportions that they are seldom seen in private settings.
Rosa María Rodríguez Garza, who heads FEMSA's various cultural programs, said that the company's art collection started in 1997, with private parties and artists donating funds and works to complement the effort. The collection is considered one of the most important in Mexico, she said, adding that it now has 1,300 pieces and is constantly being updated.
"The collection started its traveling program in 2000," Garza said. "To date we have had 57 exhibitions in and outside of Mexico, aiming at taking our collection to the cities and countries where the company [operates] so that people may get to know the history of Latin American arts of the 20th century and beginning of the 21st century."
Indeed, the "Latitudes" pieces traveled to Argentina and Brazil before arriving at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, which is located approximately 30 miles south of Los Angeles and is an urban center of Orange County.
Rodriguez noted that Rufino Tamayo, a master painter from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, is represented in the exhibit with his "Uomini," a 1958 piece depicting two men.
"Man was the topic that most inspired Tamayo, with all his defects and good points," said Rodríguez, who urged everyone take advantage of the Bowers Museum exhibit.
"It is an important exhibition that must not be missed," she said. "In order for one to learn about the principal schools of the 20th century, from surrealism to Mexican muralism, one must see the most representative works of the 20th century Latin American schools.
The Bowers Museum is also offering "The Baroque World of Fernando Botero," the first retrospective of works by the Colombian artist in 30 years.
Botero is known worldwide for his voluptuous images and sensuous figures, which he relates to everything from politics to religion to history with a critical and comical focus.
All of the pieces — paintings, drawings and sculpture numbering 100 or so and dating from the 1950s to the present — have been lent to the museum by the artist. and many of them have never been seen by the public.
Some of the works are said to be among Botero's personal favorites, and reflect his extensive study of European art. Botero's works take a look at the pomposity and afflictions that go with contemporary life in Latin America, with satiric observances of presidents and first ladies. One section of the exhibit is devoted solely to everyday life in South America: Women being observed in the intimacy of their bedrooms, street scenes, ballrooms, and the suggestions of houses of ill-repute.
The Bowers museum is located at 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706. Schedule: Tuesday through Sunday. Entrance fee: adults $12, students and seniors age 62 or older $9, children under 6 free. For more information, call 714.480.1520 or visit www.bowers.org.
Free days: First Sundays of each month to the general public.
Mireya Olivera is editor of Impulso.
Photos by Impulso
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