Major Exhibition 'Let Us Gather In a Flourishing Way' Surveys Contemporary Latinx Painting

The Buffalo AKG Art Museum is currently presenting 'Let Us Gather In a Flourishing Way,' a comprehensive exhibition featuring 58 artists that examines contemporary Latinx painting. Curated by Andrea Alvarez, the show has been developed over several years through extensive research and close collaboration with each participating creator. The exhibition's title references a poem by former U.S. poet laureate Juan Felipe Herrera, whose bilingual verses about community and cultural convergence appear throughout the galleries. Organized into seven thematic sections including 'New Histories,' 'Bodies & Figures,' 'Pinturx,' and 'Land/tierra,' the presentation explores diverse approaches to painting while emphasizing dialogue among artists with varied backgrounds, identities, and creative methods. Notable works include Moises Salazar Tlatenchi's 'Cruising Queens,' which reimagines American historical narratives through glitter and crocheted framing; Eamon Ore-Giron's geometric abstraction 'Talking Shit with Illapa (variation I)'; and Salomón Huerta's triptych of still-life paintings that evoke personal family history without depicting human figures. Other featured artists include Firelei Báez, Guadalupe Maravilla, Patrick Martinez, Yvette Mayorga, Alfonso Gonzalez Jr., Sarah Zapata, Narsiso Martinez, and Larry Madrigal. The exhibition highlights how identity and place intersect while showcasing innovative techniques that expand traditional painting boundaries, from piped acrylic to mixed-media installations. After closing at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum on September 6, the exhibition will travel to the Des Moines Art Center, Phoenix Art Museum, and Frye Art Museum in Seattle. Public programming including workshops, artist talks, and tours with poet Juan Felipe Herrera will accompany the show's run.