Artist Talk: Jose Ibarra Rizo
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CRITIC’S PICK: José Ibarra Rizo: Depth Within a Gaze, MOCA GA — Rizo hails from Mexico and is described as a multidisciplinary artist based in Atlanta who uses photography, sculpture and painting to express himself; his work primarily focuses on the life of migrants to this part of the country. He is one of three recipients of the 2022 Atlanta Artadia Awards, and a winner of the 2023-2024 Working Artist Project for MOCA GA. Rizo, whose clients include Time and Rolling Stone , is featured in the permanent collections of the High Museum of Art and the Virginia Museum of Fine Art. “This exhibition delves into my family’s intimate connection with labor, prompting contemplation on the fruits — both tangible and intangible — of the sacrifices endured,” Rizo says. “The sculptural pieces foster a sense of immersion and interactivity, while painting is used to reflect on America’s relationship with immigrants, often characterized by both intolerance and dehumanization.” — Kevin C. Madigan
Free entry. There will be an artist talk on Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m. MOCA GA, 75 Bennett Street, Atlanta 30309 MOCA
From the venue:
About the Exhibition
“Depth Within A Gaze continues my exploration of themes that have been at the heart of my practice since 2021, notably the migrant experience in the American South. This latest body of work dives deeper into these narratives, embracing themes of labor, land, and the ever-evolving South.
Central to this exploration is the gaze, which offers a gateway into the intricate personal narratives of each subject. Each gaze holds a universe of nuance and complexity, inviting viewers to engage and observe deeply.
Within this work, labor is a pivotal concept, intimately connected to the universal experience of leaving home in search of a better life. Whether it is the 16-year-old street vendor who just immigrated from Mexico, embarking on a journey from South Carolina to Georgia with her brothers, striving to sell enough bouquets to sustain themselves, or the young Guatemalan immigrant, his yellow boots pushing homeward after a long shift at the local poultry factory, these narratives evoke a deeply familiar yet often overlooked reality within working-class communities. Additionally, this exhibition delves into my family’s intimate connection with labor, prompting contemplation on the fruits—both tangible and intangible—of the sacrifices endured.
While my practice has heavily relied on the narrative power of photography, this latest body of work integrates sculpture and painting. Drawing from the symbols and motifs inherent in my photographs, the sculptural pieces foster a sense of immersion and interactivity, while painting is used to reflect on America’s relationship with immigrants, often characterized by both intolerance and dehumanization
Depth Within A Gaze provides an opportunity for introspection and dialogue on the complexities of human existence within the context of migration, labor, and societal transformation. Through its multi-dimensional approach, the exhibition prompts reflection on the shared humanity inherent within each individual’s story.”
–José Ibarra Rizo