New Images of Identity
September 23 – November 18
Opening reception, Saturday, September 22, 7–9 p.m.
Exploration of racial identity in work by artists of color has proliferated over the last fifteen years. A number of these artists recognized or were part of the increase in immigration to the United States that began in the 1970s and 1980s. New arrivals, particularly from Central America and Southeast Asia, came to the United States for economic opportunity and to escape war and oppression. Their presence and participation in this country enriched mass media and advertising with a broadened sense of representation. In the decades since, art expressing cultural identity has grown and changed as artists explore synthesis and contrast rather than separation and isolation.

This Armory exhibition presents some of these important developments with work by Laylah Ali, Iona Rozeal Brown, Enrique Chagoya, Dihn Q. Le, Yoshua Okon, Lezley Saar, John Trevino, and Kara Walker. Their art often unites imagery from diverse cultures in a single piece. A growing number of artists of color recognize and celebrate more than one heritage, acknowledging multiple ancestors from different parts of the world, as well as Caucasian forebears, or western heritage influences. As a result, their art has literally transformed the artistic dialogue, exploring a changing and challenging perception of our humanity, to create new images of identity. This exhibition is part of Skin: Art & Ideas 2007, a festival of the arts, sciences, and humanities in Pasadena and surrounding communities. On view in the Caldwell Gallery.