“Artepaño: Chicano Prisoner Kerchief Art,” featuring over 70 works of art by Latino artists working in the context of the American penal system, opens Saturday, August 24, at the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art.
On Saturday, September 7, a special screening of the 1996 documentary film “Paño Arte: Images From the Inside” will begin at 5 p.m. at the Wanlass/Russell Performance Hall, followed by a conversation with:
- The director and producer of the film, Evangeline Griego.
- Exhibition curator Álvaro Ibarra, Ph.D.
- Scholar Ben Olguín, Ph.D.
- Art collector Reno Laplat-Torti.
- Moderator Felipe Valencia, Ph.D.
Their discussion will examine the long-standing tradition of art in prisons in the southwestern United States. A reception will follow at the museum from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. The reception, film screening and discussion are free and open to the public.
A paño is a commercially available 15″ x 15″ cotton handkerchief that is transformed into a work of art by prisoners who identify as Chicano, Mexican, Latino, and/or Hispanic. These artists, who also identify as inmates, convicts, and/or pintos, create works of art that range from sugary valentines to chilling threats to grand biographical narratives.
The exhibition highlights this group of Latino artists and tells their stories sensitively and respectfully. Artepaño: Chicano Prisoner Kerchief Art will be on view through February 2025. NEHMA invites everyone to visit the exhibition and explore the artists’ stories.
The film is presented courtesy of About Time Productions, directed and produced by Evangeline E. Griego and co-produced by A. Rudy Padilla. This event is made possible by the generous support of the Terra Foundation of American Art.
About the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art: The Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art at Utah State University encourages engagement with modern and contemporary art to facilitate learning and promote dialogue about ideas important to the people of Utah and the mission of Utah State University. This mission, at the heart of our exhibition, will inspire you to explore and engage with art. Admission is free and open to all. Parking is available in the free museum parking lots and on the Gateway Terrace. For more information, visit usu.edu/artmuseum or contact Shaylee Briones, [email protected], 435-797-0227.
