"La Voz" exhibition at the Triton Museum of Art truly demonstrated the remarkable talent of eleven South Bay Mexican-American artist. All eleven artist use different artistic methods to express their thoughts and emotions. The common bond between these artist was their belief in diversity and a pluralistic society that treats people equalitably.One of the artist, Carlos Perez, emits his anger toward the extreme right by showing an alter with hoods of the KKK and votive candles in black, white, and red to possibly convey the message that people should pray for world peace and racial toleration. This could also constitute an expression on Perez's staunch opposition to the "cultural war" waged by groups such as the KKK.
Another artist, Richard Godinez criticized Western objectivity and the heinous act of violence and oppressio against non-western and Indegigenous peoples. Godinez denounces this view in a painting that shows a Mexican-American man lying dead "apparently shot" by the side of the road.
The artist, Consuelo Jimenez Underwood, depicts the horrifying exprience of colonialism and the explotation of Indigenous people through a painting that shows an Indian all chained up and helpless. The artist was remebering the roots her ancestors and the treatment they experienced under cultural domiation by the Anglo Colonial settlers and pioneers.
Another artist such as Joe Bastida Rodriguez commemorates his father by painting a larger portrait of him. Under the painting was a table with copper plates and silverware that reflected his Mestizo heritage. the art piece is appropriately named, "In the Name of My Father." Lisa Remerez used palm-sized art work that represents a physical and spiritual essesnce, in expressing her bi-cultural (Mexican-Irish) heritage.Another Artist, John Ghilberto Rodriguez used photography to express the political and cultural life of the Chicano community. Rodriguez interestly also received a purple heart in the Vietnam War.
Since the majority of the Mexican-Americans in the 1960's were unable to express their beleifs through mainstream media, they resorted to using art as their medium of expression. Art permitted Mexican-Americans to express their political and socail views which they felt were important in their co-existence with others in the community. Without their art residents of the Santa Clara Valley could not have been able to gain a valuable insight into the history of their region. Overall, "La Voz" exhibiton serves as a valuable asset to the diversity of the Snata Clara Valley.
WRITTEN BY: Nicholas Baziotes Filip Szymanski