The Lehman College Art Gallery is pleased to present Progressive Transition, part of the 2019 Latin American Art Triennial organized by the Bronx Hispanic Festival Inc.  The broad range of Triennial artists includes representation from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, México, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Perú, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela. The project will create awareness of the rich international network with Latin American artists, many with strong links to New York City.

Progressive Transition explores the action and effect of moving from one state to another.  More broadly, the project shows the drive towards transformation in the arts. The artists’ need to “feel part of something” that can likewise be recognized and defined by others will be explored within the exhibition. The work on view represents the artistic transition seen against a landscape of societal progress. The project highlights cultural exchange and, at its core, examines the implications of transition on an evolving Latin American culture.

In a globalized setting, Progressive Transition seeks to understand the particular need for affirmation in search of healing with regards to the spaces left behind within the sphere of immigration. Transition moves forward both for society and on a personal level.

The flowering of change —of transition — is to be seen everywhere in the field of creativity.  Just as muralism in Mexico marks a reflection of national content, newly emerging cross-cultures expand into multiple, sometimes competing identities. New terms used in the United States such as Newyorican, Chicano, Dominica-ish or Latinx, all impact the artistic and personal sense of identity.

The inability to continue relying on traditional identities encourages an interest in emerging new identities. The artists represented in Progressive Transition belong to a variety of different generations. They have found motivation as regards to notions of immigration, religion, social justice, history and environmental awareness-raising, examining problems relevant to them, and underscoring that Latin American art has its roots in the sociopolitical.

Latin American art benefits from the recent increase in the number of artists— – linked by language— who live and work all over the world. They circulate internationally and influence the rising generation, making ever more types of communication possible in a world of ever-expanding, transitioning identities.

The presentation at Lehman College Art Gallery will include a site-specific rotunda installation created by artist Iliana Emilia Garcia.

Progressive Transition Artists at Lehman College Art Gallery:

Felix Berroa, Rosee Camafreita, Antonio Martorell Cardona, Williams Carmona, Pablo Caviedes, Dionis Figueroa, Dolores Furtado, Iliana Emilia Garcia, Armando Guiller, Ivelisse Jiménez , Nayda Collazo Llorens, Ana Rosa Marrero, Victor Mora, Arnaldo Morales, María Antonia Ordóñez, Jorge Posada, Adrián Viajero Román, Dhara Rivera, Martin Riwnyj, Ezequiel Taveras, and Inés Tolentino.

Progressive Transition is organized by Alexis Mendoza, New York Latin American Art Triennial Chief Curator, and Luis Stephenberg, New York Latin American Art Triennial Director. The presentation at Lehman College Art Gallery is coordinated by Laura J.A. DeRiggi, Curatorial Assistant, Lehman College Art Gallery.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a 100-page commemorative catalogue.

Exhibition Program Support:

Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation; Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation; Jarvis and Constance Doctorow Family Foundation; Fidelity Charitable; Medora and John Geary Family Fund; Edith and Herbert Lehman Foundation; New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; Cultural After School Adventures (CASA) through public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the Honorable Andy King; SU-CASA through public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the Honorable City Council members Mark Gjonaj, Andy King and Ritchie Torres; Cultural Immigrant through public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the Honorable Andrew Cohen; New York City Department of Education; New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.