Denver Art Museum’s “Mi Tierra” Spotlights Latin American Artists Thru Oct. 2017

Justin Favela, 30 year old artist from Las Vegas poses in front of his exhibit "Fridalandia"

Article and photos by Antonio Hernandez for Latin Life Denver Media

If you’re looking for something to do this summer, the Denver Art Museum is currently running an exhibit that highlights Latin American artists. The exhibit features 13 different artists from locations around the southwestern United States and Mexico.

Guests to the Mi Tierra exhibit discuss the artwork outside Justin Favela's "Fridalandia"

Guests to the Mi Tierra exhibit discuss the artwork outside Justin Favela’s “Fridalandia”

Attendees examine the surreal artwork of Daniela Edinburgh. From San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Daniela incorporates a mix of oil paintings and fabric installation that create a sense of otherworldliness.

Attendees examine the surreal artwork of Daniela Edinburgh. From San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Daniela incorporates a mix of oil paintings and fabric installation that create a sense of otherworldliness.

Featured artist Justin Favela said he draws much of his inspiration from artists like Frida Kahlo and Jose Maria Velasco. Justin Favela lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and said he has been crafting his art for 10 years now.

“I think my art has a nostalgic feeling for home”, said Favela about his installation piece Fridalandia. The piece is a replication of the the Casa Azul Garden from the 2002 film Frida.

Gabriel Dawe's installation that incorporates thread and light to create a unique piece of magic at the Mi Tierra exhibit.

Gabriel Dawe’s installation that incorporates thread and light to create a unique piece of magic at the Mi Tierra exhibit.

Museum attendees are invited to roam through the colorful paper mache garden. Favela said, “I would call my work piñata style artwork”. Justin traces his roots back and forth between his mother who is Guatemalan, and his father who is Mexican- “I think the default identity for Hispanics living in the southwest is Mexican American, so I poke fun at that idea through my artwork”, said Favela.

The exhibit also features artists like Romero Gomez from West Hollywood, California. Gomez chose to document the life of a Denver Art Museum custodian by the name of Lupita.

Denver residents enjoy the free first Saturday access to the Mi Tierra exhibit at the Denver Museum of Art.

Denver residents enjoy the free first Saturday access to the Mi Tierra exhibit at the Denver Museum of Art.

Mi Tierra also includes Denver locals Jaime Carrejo and Dmitri Obergfell. Guests are encouraged to open a dialogue while at the exhibit. There is a station where guests can write questions or conversations they would like to have about topics ranging from race to how the artists do what they do. Artists and guests alike are encouraged to respond on the conversation wall.

The exhibit runs through October 2017 and is a great way to beat the heat this summer.