Pável Acevedo: Inland Empire. Photo credit: COC website.

The implications of migration and immigration are explored and expressed through the College of the Canyons Art Gallery’s two new exhibitions, Pável Acevedo’s “Inland Empire” and “Chicanx/Latinx: Serigraph Prints from Self Help Graphic & Art.”

These exhibitions are being showcased now through Thursday, Nov. 29 at the COC Art Gallery, located in Mentry Hall, Room 108, on the college’s Valencia campus.

Pável Acevedo’s “Inland Empire” explores the political and personal effects of migration, immigration, borders, and the duality many contend with after leaving their homeland for a new nation. He melds elements of Mexican mural painting, printmaking and classical drawing with symbols and pre-Hispanic imagery from the codex.

Born in Oaxaca, Mexico and now living in Riverside, CA, Acevedo typifies a new generation of contemporary Mexican artists telling powerful visual stories about Latino identity, personal experiences, American culture and the ever-changing socio-political environment of Southern California.

“Pável Acevedo is COC’s first Artist in Residence,” said Pamela Lewis, COC Art Gallery Director. “His exhibition ‘Inland Empire’ is COC Art Gallery’s first ever one-person exhibition featuring the art of a contemporary Latinx visual artist! It’s an incredible installation. I hope everyone comes by to experience it. Pável spent a week on campus creating Inland Empire and generously invited COC students to assist him in painting the mural elements. He led a relief printmaking workshop for students as well—and finally gave a public lecture in Spanish and a second in English about his work.”

The other exhibition, “Chicanx/Latinx: Serigraph Prints from Self Help Graphic & Art,” surveys contemporary Chicanx and Latinx artists engaged with the tradition of social and political printed art. Simultaneously, these pieces are vibrant works and primary historical documents. These handmade, unique prints expose histories, communities, struggles, and triumphs that are often hidden or forgotten.

Chicanx-Latinx: Serigraph Prints from Self Help Graphic & Art. Photo credit: COC website.

The artists in the exhibition include: Dewey Tafoya, Votan Henriquez, Sandra Fernandez, Judy Baca, Shizu Saldamando, El Mac, Pável Acevedo, Zeke Peña, Luis Genaro Garcia, Kimberly Robertson, Dalia Paola Mendez, EnikOne, Cynthia Velasquez, Germs, Sonia Romero, and Victoria Delgadillo.

“It has been a thrill partnering with the venerable institution, Self Help Graphics & Art,” said Lewis. “This group has served as the heart of contemporary Latinx printmaking for nearly 50 years! “Chicanx/Latinx” presents a small survey of works produced in the last ten years from Self Help’s vast archive of incredible fine art prints. I’m delighted to introduce our students and our community to these wonderful Latinx artists and the important art and social histories that these works represent.”

Both exhibitions are open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and by appointment.

For more information, please call (661) 362-3875 or visit the COC Art Gallery webpage.