ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – If you travel throughout New Mexico, you may notice a familiar sight among many of the city landscapes: street art. It comes in various forms, including colorful murals, graffiti, and images plastered on street signs. In some cases, street art is commissioned and other times it can result from an independent artist leaving their mark. Some of the art tells a story or highlights an impactful moment in history or culture. Other times, it can be whatever the artist decides to paint, create, or tag. While sometimes street art is frowned upon, the National Hispanic Cultural Center Art Museum in Albuquerque is looking to shed a positive light on this type of art with its newest exhibition, “Convergence x Crossroads: Street Art from the Southwest.”
“I hope that this exhibit shows the diversity of street art, that there’s not just one way to create things, that there’s many different medias that these artists are doing, and that it’s quite beautiful, whether they’re creating something on a canvas, or repurposing a street sign, or creating something on a toy, or a book,” said Rebecca Gomez, exhibition curator at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. “There’s many different ways that artists create their art beyond just the streets.”
The exhibit will showcase art by 30 artists who identify as Chicano/a/x, Latino/a/x, Indigenous, and Native American. A majority of artists are from New Mexico; however, Gomez used her connections in the art world to partner with artists who have done work in Texas, Arizona, and California. “I’m very grateful that the artists trusted me enough to be able to work with me and come here at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. A very safe space for artists,” Gomez said. One of the connections Gomez made was with the 3B Collective from Los Angeles, California.
Oscar Magallanes and an artist from 3B Collective traveled to the Duke City with two other Los Angeles-based artists to collaborate with Albuquerque artist Votan. The artists are painting a large floor-to-ceiling mural inside the exhibition space.
“For there to actually be a space and a place for this art to be appreciated by the masses, it’s great. You know, people don’t have to go to the street to see the art,” said Votan, who is part of the NSRGNTS art collective that advocates for Indigenous rights.
When asked about the importance of having this type of artwork displayed in a museum, Magallanes highlighted how street art can foster connections. “So I think it’s important that sometimes graffiti and murals humanize the city often because they can feel very daunting, very, you know, like these urban landscapes that make you feel removed,” Magallanes explained.
“Convergence x Crossroads: Street Art from the Southwest” will open to the public on Friday, June 7, with a free community reception at the NHCC Art Museum from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit will be on display until Feb. 23, 2025.
