In Latinx culture, femme and masc ideals are embedded into the structure, social expectations and language, which can make it difficult for people to stray away and discover different forms of identity and understanding. Hija/e/o/x(s) de Su—, a new art exhibition curated by Geovany Uranda, Cesar Piedra and presented by Scrambled Eggs Gallery and Collective, examines the aforementioned cultural expectations.
“Memoria Sin Fecha” by Anny Ayala Ortega
Challenging those generational norms can be even more difficult within stereotypical family dynamics, but new generations are striving to evolve from restrictive ideas and find validation through self-made communities.
“The title is really convoluted, and I think it speaks to a lot of Latinx households,” Uranda says. “Identity can be weird to look into, and we don’t really talk about it, so this was a fun way to take that.”
Uranda says the theme was intended to be playful, but it can also question intelligently. Inclusion is at the show’s forefront, so by doing something as simple as including alternative pronouns in the title, Hija/e/o/x(s) de Su— it takes a jab at gender-forward linguistics.
The curators sourced artists from their respective cities, Vegas (Uranda) and Reno (Piedra). They looked to creators that they truly admired, from all levels of experience, and were able to coordinate exhibits in both Northern and Southern Nevada. Part 1 took place at Reno’s Holland Project Gallery with Part 2 set for Nuwu Art Gallery + Community Center from September 9 through December 7.
The 17 participating artists use mixed mediums to speak on the Latinidad adolescent experience, with artists’ upbringings connecting it all as an underlying through line.
“Recordando” by Brian Martinez.
“Empowerment, reclamation, nostalgia, mischief, rebellion and acceptance,” artist Anny Ayala Ortega lists off when discussing the show’s theme. “Although living different lives, many of us are connected by similar cultural experiences, and the show is great at portraying that.”
Ortega’s work titled “Oraciones Músicas” (which translates to “musical prayers” in English), reflects on a time in her childhood where she was scolded for not knowing and singing along to church songs. “I have felt judged or unaccepted by some family because of the music I like, or the way I dress, or what I enjoy in general,” Ortega says. She printed some of her favorite song lyrics in bible verse fashion and collaged them behind two clay sculpted characters on wood.
Uranda and Piedra met when the pair’s work was showcased in a Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art show, Future Relics, from 2020 to 2021. Piedra approached Uranda about working together to expand on a former Piedra-curated Reno exhibit with a similar theme, and Uranda agreed to collaborate.
As a bonus, Scrambled Eggs creator Emmanuel Muñoz curated a mini-exhibit within Hija/e/o/x(s) de Su— by featuring Kristy Moreno’s vibrant ceramic caricatures, a collection titled Mujeres Mágicas!
Permeating the entire show is a sense of artistic community and support, and that’s no accident, according to Uranda. “Stuff is moving fast, and more artists are being recognized here,” Uranda says. “When art is spoken about, it has greater visibility, [and] through that, you get more support.”
hija/e/o/x(s) de su— September 8-December 7,; Thursday-Friday, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, noon-4 p.m.; free. Nuwu Art Gallery + Community Center, scrambled-eggs.xyz.
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