Dama Gallery is pleased to present “Cabeza” by Alejandro Herrera. Herrera’s art bursts with a riotous spectrum of colors, each hue singing a bold ode to identity, memory, and defiance against cultural constraints. 

This vivid storytelling canvas sets the stage for his upcoming solo exhibition of work “Cabeza; A Reflection on Childhood, Inclusion, and Artistic Freedom,” available to view from April 20th to August 20th, 2024. In addition to this vibrant showcase, Herrera’s compelling narratives will be featured in The Bureau of Queer Art, Volume 4, Pink Tide group exhibition at Dama Gallery in Ventura, CA, and a spirited summer show at The Studio Door in San Diego. These platforms collectively amplify Herrera’s dynamic presence as an emerging talent in contemporary queer art.

Alejandro Herrera’s 3D boxes are intricate microcosms, each a meticulous collage of nostalgia, personal symbolism, and vibrant aesthetics. These artistic containers are crafted from found objects and repurposed toys, each element carefully curated and placed to narrate stories from Herrera’s own life and broader cultural themes. The boxes often juxtapose the playful innocence of childhood with poignant social commentaries, creating a tactile dialogue between past and present. Through these vivid dioramas, Herrera explores themes of identity, memory, and societal norms, inviting viewers to peer into his colorful, multidimensional world.

“My boxes...they are like diaries of my childhood,” Herrera explains in an interview featured on The Bureau of Queer Art podcast. “Each toy, each color, tells a story of what I was not allowed to express openly.” His works serve as a visual resistance against the traditional Mexican societal norms of the 1980s, challenging the deeply ingrained stereotypes of masculinity and acceptable behavior.

These sculptural compositions go beyond mere artistic expression; they are narratives constructed from the relics of childhood—broken toys and faded photographs that Herrera transforms into compelling dialogues about identity and acceptance. “I think of my art as a way to control and arrange my turbulent past into something beautiful, something defiant and hopeful,” Herrera shared, highlighting how his process is both a therapeutic act and a method of storytelling.

Herrera’s approach to his materials is especially telling. He engages in what he calls ‘upcycling,’ where objects deemed worthless by others gain new life and purpose. This transformation is not just physical but symbolic, advocating for a broader societal recognition of diversity and the value of all individuals, regardless of their perceived flaws or non-conformity. “These toys... they are broken, yes, but they are beautiful. They have stories, histories that deserve to be told,” Herrera remarked during the podcast, emphasizing his connection to each piece.

The artist’s meticulous nature extends to every aspect of his life, from his art to his environment. This characteristic is reflective of a deeper, perhaps compulsive, need to order and structure, which he candidly discusses as a potential undiagnosed autism spectrum condition. “I am a very controlled person. This... control is evident in my art. It is how I make sense of the world and find my peace,” he confesses. This need for order manifests in his compelling need to categorize and arrange, bringing a unique precision and intentionality to his installations.

In his upcoming exhibitions, Herrera uses his 3D boxes to reflect on personal experiences and engage in broader conversations about childhood, identity, and freedom. Each piece is a portal into a discussion on the rigidity of societal norms and the vibrant pushback of individual expression. “With my art, I talk about inclusion, gender equality, and visibility. How can we learn to appreciate the difference if we are all expected to line up the same?” he questions, challenging the viewer to reconsider their perceptions of normalcy and acceptance.

Moreover, Herrera’s work is imbued with a sense of joy and playfulness despite the serious themes it tackles. His use of bright colors and familiar objects from childhood conjures a universal nostalgia, yet distinctly tinged with the poignant sting of exclusion he felt growing up. “I grew up being told not to run or speak ‘like a girl.’ My art is where I run and speak as I always wanted to,” Herrera states, encapsulating the liberating essence of his creative output.

This fusion of personal narrative with broader social commentary ensures that Herrera’s exhibitions are more than just visual feasts—invitations to dialogue, confrontation, and, ultimately, understanding. The inclusion of his work in The Bureau of Queer Art, Volume 4, serves as a perfect platform for this dialogue, highlighting the intersection of queer identity and artistic expression in a space that celebrates diversity and challenges conformity.

Listeners of The Bureau of Queer Art podcast and attendees of Herrera’s exhibitions are thus offered a rich tapestry of experiences that challenge, educate, and inspire. As Herrera aptly puts it, “Art is about speaking the truths that are hardest to tell, and I speak through every color, every toy, every box I create.”

As Herrera continues to share his vision through these immersive and introspective exhibitions, his work stands as a testament to the transformative power of art to confront personal and cultural narratives, offering us a view into the soul of an artist who sees the world in the vibrant hues of defiance and diversity.

ARTIST

Alejandro Herrera "CABEZA", born in Mexico City in 1976, is a multidisciplinary artist. Self-taught, eclectic, maximalist, crazy, in love with unconventional aesthetics, lover of Kitsch art, Drag art, Surrealism and Magic Realism . ​ He studied Communication Sciences with a specialty in advertising at the Universidad del Valle de México (1995-1999), an analogue photography enthusiast who continues his learning and development in the City of Monterrey, where he has resided since 2004. 

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SOLO FEATURE

April 20 - August 20, 2024

GALLERY DATES

PINK TIDE, June 1 - August 3, 2024

LOCATION

1793 E Main Street, Ventura CA 93001

OPENING RECEPTION

June 1 , 2024 6-8p

GALLERY HOURS

Saturdays 12-3P

Weekdays By Appointment