Join us at the Las Cruces Museum of Art, 491 N. Main St., for a new exhibition, “José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico,” featuring more than 60 pieces of the artist’s work as well as contemporaneous artwork that is influenced by Posada’s style.
The exhibit will be on view from Nov. 4, 2022, through Jan. 21, 2023.
José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913) was a Mexican printmaker whose satirical political art and social engagement resulted in illustrations that were popular among the working class in Mexico. Employed by progressive publisher Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, Posada created expressive images that reflected the transitioning culture of Mexico at the end of the 19th century and early 20th century.
Despite his popularity, Posada died a poor man and was buried in a pauper’s cemetery. Shortly after his death other influential Mexican nationalist artists like Jean Charlot, Diego Rivera, and Frida Kahlo recognized the power of Posada’s work and began promoting him.
It was these artists who would establish and encourage the Posada legend that has lasted well into the 21st century, as demonstrated by the Grateful Dead and the band’s use of skeletal figures in their record covers and logo designs.
This exhibition brings together more than 60 pieces of the artist’s work, from broadsides, and advertisements, to notebooks, and some of the artist’s original printing plates. Additionally, more than 20 contemporary pieces of artwork that use his images or were influenced by his style also are presented.
The exhibition was organized by the Catalina Island Museum, in association with the Posada Art Foundation. The museum tour was organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, California.
The Museum of Art is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. There is no admission fee. The museum is accessible from RoadRUNNER Transit Route 1, Stop 1.
For information, visit the Museum System website at https://www.lascruces.gov/museums or call 575/541-2137.