Solace and Sisterhood brings together the work of three artists of African descent who are friends and “sisters”: Lavett Ballard, Amber Robles-Gordon, and Evita Tezeno. Through their artwork, viewers are given an intimate look into their experiences and their sisterhood, which has developed over several years. By digging deeply into historical and contemporary perspectives on African American life, exploring traditions in the African diasporic community, or remixing commonly known objects, these artists span media and aesthetics. They tackle topics of self-identity, Black female beauty, and spiritual discovery. They resist single affiliations and simple answers to difficult questions. All the while, they maintain deep bonds that now transcend friendship. They are now sisters.
Robles-Gordon is a multidisciplinary Afro-Latina artist based out of Washington, D.C., who was born in Puerto Rico, grew up in Arlington, Virginia, and has family living in the U.S. Virgin Islands, she said. The six double-sided quilts are meant to convey her perspective of these territories while deconstructing how they are affected by foreign and domestic policies and “stimulate further dialogue regarding the long arm of the American political machine.”
WHAT IS THIS NATION’S HISTORY OF VALUING LIFE? THE LIFE OF ANIMALS, CHILDREN, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR?
Surely, she (he/we) is a little animal? is a chronological visual exploration of the cross generational and long term impact of imperialism and colonialism. In each of the six mixed media on wood panel works Robles-Gordon begins with the transatlantic slave trade and leads the viewer on a panoramic sweep contemplating the modern-day systems and infrastructures that continue to uplift colonialism and imperialism.
Who/what is worthy of care? Who cares for the defenseless? Who/what is defended? Incorporating the transdisciplinary study of human ecology into her practice and scope, Robles-Gordon uses the field as an anchor in her expansive investigations of race, history, the sciences and culture. The resulting new body of work rigorously explores colonialism and imperialism, global anti-blackness, child welfare and animal cruelty. Finding them all connected, just not equally, the exhibition exposes frank contradictions in American perceptions of human life, animal life and minority lives.
20 October 2023 - 30 September 2024
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo / San Juan, Puerto Rico
Luego de cuatro años de ardua labor investigativa, el Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Puerto Rico presenta su nueva exhibición “Puerto Rico Negrx”, primera muestra institucional en el país que presenta a artistas negrxs en un contexto histórico y un diálogo intergeneracional.
Al encontrarlos todos conectados, pero no por igual, Amber Robles-Gordon vincula visualmente las historias y desarrollos de los movimientos estadounidenses de protección infantil y bienestar animal con los derechos civiles y las luchas en curso por la libertad.
“We need to go positive towards each other because that’s the only way that we’re going to make real change,” Robles-Gordon said. “We have to deconstruct the lens of white supremacy, the lens of anti-Blackness, and that starts with us looking at each other and treating each other differently.”
Curated by Wilfredo Valladares
“ Finding Home” art exhibition at Maryland Hall Chaney & Marino Galleries. Featuring Amber Robles -Gordon, Edgard Endress, Jin Lee, Sandra Perez-Ramos, Sunhee Jung, Trisha Kryner