ABOUT SOY de TEJAS
Soy de Tejas: A South Texas Survey of Latinx Art
Soy de Tejas (I Am From Texas) celebrates the vibrant voices of contemporary Texas Latinx artists exploring identity, place, and Chicanx experience. This nationally significant exhibition showcases artists who are shaping conversations about culture, belonging, and what it means to be Texan.
The Exhibition
Originally curated by Rigoberto Luna and featured at California's Riverside Art Museum in partnership with Cheech Marin, Soy de Tejas has garnered national attention for its powerful representation of Texas Latinx artistic excellence. Glasstire, Texas's leading contemporary art publication, extensively covered the exhibition, noting its importance in "connecting Latinx artists across the state." Now, this extraordinary exhibition comes home to South Texas, where 65% of our community shares this cultural heritage.
The Curator: Rigoberto Luna
Rigoberto Luna is a San Antonio-based independent curator, arts advocate, and co-founder of Presa House Gallery, a vital platform for contemporary art in San Antonio's Southtown Arts District. Luna originated Soy de Tejas: A Statewide Survey of Latinx Art with a vision to amplify Latinx artistic voices and create connections across Texas's diverse creative communities.
Luna's curatorial philosophy emphasizes what Glasstire described as "curating community care"—an approach that prioritizes authentic representation, artist support, and creating exhibitions that resonate deeply with the communities they serve. This commitment makes him ideally suited to bring Soy de Tejas to Corpus Christi, where the exhibition can connect with the majority-Latinx community it was created to celebrate and serve.
Through Luna's vision, Soy de Tejas transcends traditional gallery exhibitions, becoming a celebration of cultural identity, a platform for artistic excellence, and a testament to the richness of Texas Latinx creative expression.
Why Corpus Christi
In a majority-Latinx city, Soy de Tejas offers our community a rare opportunity to see cultural experiences reflected in professionally curated contemporary art. For many Corpus Christi residents who face barriers to major museums in San Antonio, Houston, or Austin, this exhibition brings nationally significant art directly to our downtown. Luna's community-centered curatorial approach ensures the exhibition honors our region's cultural identity while introducing our community to some of Texas's most compelling contemporary artists.
The Artists
Featured artists represent diverse practices across painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and installation. Each voice contributes to a larger conversation about Latinx identity in contemporary Texas.
See Exhibition Details
Ⓒ 2024 TAMU-CC University Galleries
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