Illegal Utopia: Michoacan in Tucson
In Spring 2014, Mexican-born Tucson artist Martin Quintanilla put out a call to artists for a binational show on the theme of artistic freedom in times of political oppression. The result was "Illegal Utopia," shown at Acj Pátzcuaro, a state-run gallery in Patzcuaro, Michoacan. More than 25 artists from Arizona and Michoacan were involved in the show which reflected the title's theme in paintings, linocuts, etchings, screen prints, and cut paper by established and emerging artists. The show opens for its U.S. phase on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Studio One, 197 E. Toole Ave. Curator Quintanilla, who lives and paints in Tucson, is a former winner at the Efrain Vargas, Alfredo Zalce, and Alfonso Michel Biennials, as well as the Buffalo Exchange Arts Award. He ran La Malinche Gallery and Studio from 2008 to 2011 in Tucson, and is a former member of La Pura Neta arts collective. For more info on the show, search for the event's Facebook page.
