About the exhibition:

Respect for the Rights of Others is Peace: Building on Hope, Unity, Sacrifice is a group exhibition exploring the philosophy of Mexican President Benito Juarez. Six artists of Mexican origin working in contemporary installation and traditional craft individually respond to President Juarez’ formula for coexistence in order to articulate the modern Mexican-Unistatian experience. The public is invited to the virtual opening reception on Sunday, November 1st at 2pm where the artists will discuss the exhibition and their work. Respect for the Rights of Others is Peace: Building on Hope, Unity, Sacrifice will be physically installed in DVAA’s Gallery 1 at 704 Catharine St until November 18 and can be viewed in-person by appointment. 

Respect for the Rights of Others is Peace: Building on Hope, Unity, Sacrifice was curated by 2020 Da Vinci Fellow, Vicente Ortiz Cortez. This exhibition is inspired by a quote from Mexican President Benito Juarez from an 1867 speech that marked the restoration of the Mexican Republic following civil conflicts between liberals and conservatives. Responding to the past and informing our future through historical reference, this exhibition serves as a space for reflection and anticipation. Featuring cut paper and hand-dyed rice installations that split the gallery like the Mexican flag, this collection of work preserves the serene and imaginative ideals of peace among difference.

“Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.”
— Mexican President Benito Juarez

This exhibition is presented as part of the Da Vinci Fellowship Program. Vicente Ortiz Cortez was selected as the 2020 Michelle Angela Ortiz Fellow, named for Michelle Angela Ortiz and her 20 years of work using her art to represent people and communities whose histories are often lost or co-opted. The Da Vinci Fellowship Program is made possible by individual contributions, DVAA Membership Dues, Artist & Craftsman Supply, and a generous grant from the Joseph Robert Foundation.

About the curator:

Vicente Ortiz Cortez is a contemporary Mexican artist based in Philadelphia, PA and the recipient of the 2020 Da Vinci Art Alliance Curatorial Fellowship. His work addresses themes of sexuality, identity, and anthropocenic anxieties. He has exhibited at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Czong Institute for Contemporary Art in South Korea, and had a solo show at Museu da Praia in Alagoas, Brazil, among others. A recipient of several awards, he has also been juried into exhibitions by the Curator of Contemporary Art at PAFA Museum, Jodi Throckmorton, and by The Nation’s art critic, Barry Schwabsky. He serves in the Penn State School of Visual Arts Alumni Board and in the Gallery Committee at University City Arts League. Ortiz Cortez received his BFA from The Pennsylvania State University, and also attended Studio Arts College International (SACI) in Florence, Italy.

“Inscribed on the facade of my rural elementary school in Mexico, President Juarez’ formula for coexistence was something that as a kid I didn’t fully understand, but it stuck with me. It’s an idea that many Mexican immigrants bring with them to the US. Now, as the US struggles to hold itself together, this philosophy could serve as the blueprint from which to lead the country out of the cold civil war it finds itself in. My work in the show, Responsabilidad Social (Social Responsibility), represents those who’ve died victims of a state with no respect for their rights, and it’s a reminder of the work yet to be done so no one suffers the same fate.”

About the artists:

Stephanie Dueñas has worked in a variety of media including collage, installation, performance and painting. Her experience growing up in the Midwest as a Mexican-American artist has motivated her to explore themes of identity and displacement throughout her work. In 2014, Dueñas earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art History and Painting from the Kansas City Art Institute. Dueñas is currently living and working in the Kansas City area. 

“To me, President Benito Juarez's philosophy means agreeing to be open to learning about others including their culture, their experiences, and struggles; saying "yes" to being kind and empathetic to those who are different from us and still acknowledging and validating them. The word "yes" is placed where 50 stars are usually in the American flag but this is my version that aims to inspire hope by encouraging others to open their minds.”

Gustavo Garcia is a printmaker and multidisciplinary visual artist based in Philadelphia, PA. He studied at Tyler School of Art where he received a BFA. Gustavo was born in Michoacán, Mexico and immigrated to the United States with his family at a young age. Currently he lives and works in Philadelphia and has participated in numerous art exhibitions and supports the artist in residency program at Brandywine Workshop and Archives. He works in a variety of media including, printmaking, photography, video and sculpture. Much of his work explores identity, social and political structures, current events, and traditions in diasporas as themes.

“Benito’s expression is an utterly pure statement of the deep need for the development of awareness of the experience and struggles of others to understand our role in a peaceful society. La Vela draws from the rich tradition of Mexican craft making, including textiles and papel picado designs, interpreted and metamorphosized, by thousands of tiny incisions which only as a collective effort create a harmonious, yet delicate structure similar to the relentless progressive movements happening across the world.”

Salvador Muñoz addresses issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality through various mediums including photography, installation, and artist multiples. He has exhibited his work at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Auxiliary Projects, Mayday Space, Columbia University, The Lincoln Center, and many more. Salvador is currently a Van Lier Fellow at Wave Hill and an artist in residency at Trestle Art Space. Sal received a BA in Studio Art with honorary distinctions from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2012.

“President Benito Juarez's philosophy speaks to honoring the autonomy, agency, and self-determination of ourselves and others as the foundation for peaceful coexistence.”

Jessica Elena Aquino is an interdisciplinary artist, poet, and educator from Santa Ana, CA currently based in Brooklyn. Aquino’s practice is rooted in weaving. She draws from cultural iconography, memory and mythology and interweaves them with the mediation on Latinidad and labor.  The physicality and labor demanded by her work is homage to her communities who have literally woven la cultura across generations with their hands. 
Aquino earned her B.A in Studio Art in Painting from Colgate University in 2014 and an MFA at the PA Academy of the Fine Arts in 2019. Her work has been exhibited at the Barrett Arts Center in Poughkeepsie, NY; Pilot Projects, PA; The Plastic Club; The PA Academy of the Fine Arts; Vox Populi, and Anna Zorina Gallery. She was an Artist in Residence at the Santa Fe Art Institute and has won numerous awards such as the Alumni Council Award, Murray Dessner Travel Grant. Aquino has worked for multiple curators and within the Education department at the PA Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and  Museum of Modern Art, in Manhattan, NY. Aquino is currently an Artist in Residence at the Textile Arts Center in Brooklyn, NY.

“These words resonate deeply, especially during these political and societal climates, and violence against black bodies and indigenous communities. Its a powerful statement, with so much weight and full of questions. Because to whom does that peace belong to? To whose rights are we supporting and also silencing? It's a very in-between statement. Nepantla, meaning in-between-ness is Nahuahtl, is being in the middle. At a crossroads. Different worlds of oneself clashing. For many of us, respecting other's rights while respecting our own can be clashing. While many others are forced to silence their rights while other benefit from the privildge. So can co-existence really exist? Or are we destined to be in Nepantla?”

Selene Nunez Cruz is a self-taught artist with several local exhibitions focusing on natural and abstract forms, colors and textures without intention of making realistic but with the purpose to evolve and create new ideas of art. She enjoys to include a taste of her Mexican roots to her art work. As a scientist, she is curious and loves to experiment mixing several materials such as watercolor, oil, acrylic, alcohol ink, markers, clay and paper between other materials. She started creating embroidery, sculpted, paper and portrait work of art before high school. She had participated in group exhibition at Fleisher Art Memorial, the University of Pennsylvania, the Barnes Foundation, International house, City hall and Da Vinci Art alliance gallery. She had several solo exhibitions on local galleries and businesses in Fairmount and Brewerytown area as well.

“His philosophy inspire to practice respect, tolerance and understanding to others not matter race, religion or different point of views. This artwork represents coexistence as displayed on the back as a representation of the "eclipse", were the sun and the moon interact and stay close to each other. The front of the guitar is decorated with green cactus as this color represents hope. The red on the Flowers represent sacrifice of the Mexican nation heroes.”