Teresa Villegas, El Corazón (detail from the installation La Loteria: An Exploration of Mexico) © Teresa Villegas.

This exhibition consists of 54 small, individual paintings by artist Teresa Villegas.  The paintings celebrate the Mexican culture by using the format of La Loteria, a popular Mexican game of chance. The artwork draws upon Mexican traditions, historical figures, food, and popular culture, translating them into images recognizable to those who have experienced the distinctive culture of Mexico.  Villegas’s exhibition explores some of the ubiquitous images of the game, such as La Sirena (The Mermaid) and La Luna (The Moon).  Such cultural institutions are integral in the U. S., given the growing number of immigrants from Mexico who now reside here. The purpose of this installation is to inspire understanding and dialog between the people of the U.S. and Mexico.  Entirely bilingual, many of the images depict humor, irony, and faith found throughout Mexico. In addition to a game of chance, La Loteria is used to teach reading, writing, history, and social values.  The majority of the works in this exhibition will be familiar to anyone who has spent any time in Mexico .  Each piece in the series was created independently, and many reference national identity, faith, and gender issues.

When?

Art & Intrigue: Saturday, October 27, 2007, 6:00-8:00 pm
The California Center for the Arts, Escondido Museum cordially invites you to attend our opening reception, Art & Intrigue, for a special preview of:

Dr. Carlos von Son will host a game of La Lotería