Brown Baroque:
Objects of Opulence
Robert and Francis Fullerton Art Museum
Cal State University
San Bernardino, CA
The Brown Baroque: Objects of Opulence installations examine and interpret the politics of color, class, and privilege by appropriating and reconstructing American antique and pop objects to invite the viewer to consider socio-political, socio-culture issues in a space where history, culture, and data interact in an imaginary futurist space. Life-size Victorian interiors are painted in milk-chocolate brown to ask: How are Latinos seen, how do we see ourselves, what is our status in American history? And what are our contributions to American culture and economy?
"Brown Baroque: Objects of Opulence" installation Robert and Frances Museum of Art, CSU San Bernardino, 2023
Espejo 50%, 2021 | 22 x 14.5 x 8 in | repurposed antique mirror, bronze colored acrylic mirror, acrylic enamel
Espejo 50%, 2021 | 22 x 14.5 x 8 in | repurposed antique mirror, bronze colored acrylic mirror, acrylic enamel
"Brown Baroque: Objects of Opulence" installation Robert and Frances Museum of Art, CSU San Bernardino, 2023
Life's a Bowl of Cherries, 2022, sculpture (repurposed silver plate punch bowl, artificial cherries, acrylic enamel) 17 x 22" diameter
Beautiful Brown Bouquets, 2022, repurposed antique vase, artificial flowers, gold leaf, acrylic enamel, 30 x 20 x 15in.
Datos Sagrados - 65% of US Latinos were US native born in 2017, 2017, 12 x 12 in.
"Brown Baroque: Objects of Opulence" installation Robert and Frances Museum of Art, CSU San Bernardino, 2023
Datos Sagrados - In 2017 51% of US Latinos self-identified as Democrats, 2017, 12 x 12 in.
"Brown Baroque: Objects of Opulence" installation Robert and Frances Museum of Art, CSU San Bernardino, 2023
You can have your cake and eat it too! 36% of UC entrance were Latinos in 2020, 2021; sculpture (repurposed vintage glass cake platter, printed paper cake, acrylic enamel, artificial cherries) 10.5 x 11 in. diameter
Homage to Octavio Paz de una hija de La Malinche, 2021 | 10 (h) x 12 x 15 in | repurposed antique typewriter, paper, acrylic
Little Boy Brown Celebrating El Día de Los Muertos, 2012, acrylic, repurposed plaster, solid silver leaf, 17 x 7 x 5 in. from the collection of Henry Muňoz
Botticelli’s Venus, 2012, acrylic, 14k gold leaf, solid silver leaf, repurposed plaster, 17 x 3 3/4 x 4 in.
Fred and Barney, 2012 Acrylic, repurposed rubber F: 11.5 x 5 x 4.5 in. B: 9.75 x 5 x 5 in.
Vallejo’s artworks begin as ideas, as concepts or questions; rarely does she commence from an image in mind. She then elaborates from her initial concept using strategies of “stacking” and “morphing” to develop and execute the piece. Using these ideas to understand her recent art highlights its conceptual development. My brief commentary is intended to deepen discussion of Chicana/o/x conceptualism and minimalism, important but understudied threads in the history of art.
CHARLENE VILLASENOR BLACK, SCHOLAR, EDUCATOR, AND CURATOR
essay excerpt
Digitized ephemera from exhibitions, publications, and special projects, hundreds of art images with details, and a video library.
