Artist’s exhibit in Denver explores the hidden jobs of immigrants

DENVER (KDVR) — A Texas-based immigrant artist is in Denver this spring with an exhibition of his work that explores family, cultural identity and the hidden jobs of immigrants.

Guadalupe Hernandez was born in Mexico, and his family came to the U.S. when he was three years old. He told FOX31 that he never thought art could be a possibility for him.

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“But my parents basically said, ‘Well, if you’re going to do this, the one thing we taught you is how to work’,” Hernandez said.

He said he’d never seen anyone in his family make art, “all we did is work.”

Now, Hernandez is a resident artist at the Art Students League of Denver, where he has an exhibit on display through June 1.

He is showcasing his drawings, paintings and Papel Picado, a traditional Mexican folk art form that he described as an extension of the painting.

“Papel Picado is viewed as a celebration,” Hernandez said. “The paintings are kind of like the time when I’m able to reflect on the work, and then conceptualize how I can expand that narrative into the cut paper pieces.”

Artwork to change the narrative around immigrants

Hernandez’s art on display in Denver explores themes around immigration and highlights the immigrant experience.

“The inspiration for this body of work is kind of shifting the narrative revolving immigrants,” Hernandez said.

He noted that it’s a hot topic and said the discrimination he experienced growing up has evolved to where nowadays, “it’s OK to dehumanize and paint immigrants as criminals.”

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One viewer told FOX31 she believes his work is important not only in Denver but across the U.S. as more conversations arise about immigrants and the role that they play in society.

“Guadalupe really reminds us that these people are just people’s families, they’re just like us,” she said.

Hernandez said he likes to remind people that immigrants are fathers, brothers, and cousins, and wants to show immigrants as people who are worthy of dignity.

“When you look into the eyes of the people in the paintings, they are looking at you the way they would look at their little brother or their son,” a gallery viewer said. “I think that relationship between the viewer and the painting is really special because it really is just like a super humanizing moment,” one gallery viewer said.

The exhibit can be seen at the Art Students League of Denver, located at 200 Grant St.

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