The MFA Thesis exhibitions of Christopher Moncivais & Jessie Burciaga, respectively. These two distinct exhibitions are on view within the Main Art Gallery simultaneously, exhibiting within separate areas within the space.
Above Image Left: Infection, 6” x 4” x 1” glass vials, cicada shells, plastic, custom acrylic, 2021.
Above Image Right: Cinco Tubas, 96" x 30" each, rust on drop cloth, 2021.
Show Statement from Jessie Burciaga
My work gives lost voices an identity. By embellishing the clothes of these missing people, I give them a voice, and I give their family a voice. My work is about justice, and it is about reflection. Lastly, it is about the multifaceted nature of grief. There are many things unanswered about why these people go missing. These clothes represent a fragmented portrait, an extension of their identity, and their humanity who are lost and yearning to be found. The use of monotypes, paper, concrete, and videos installations stiches of the ideas of hope, grief, and identity.
Show Statement from Christopher Moncivais
Through sculpture and stop-motion animation, I exaggerate the ecological roles of material pollution in the environment. Growing up, I had great interest in studying the life cycles of organisms, specifically those organisms directly exposed to pollution. In my exploration, I found certain wildlife adapted trash into their daily existence while others were completely overwhelmed by it. Observing these relationships allowed me to interpret the nature of trash as a body that is capable of partaking in an array of natural processes. My work reimagines this material pollution as functioning organisms, giving them their own anatomy and autonomy. In doing so, a new environmental narrative is created where each “object species” develops a unique niche, builds diverse symbiotic relationships, and alters the environment to fit their needs. The artwork becomes an ecologically focused investigation that studies these fictional behaviors. -- No Natural Predators isolates the first of these species, Rufuspiralis, into a series of observational studies. The title of this exhibition comes from a description used to define Rufuspiralis as a dominant species. To have ‘no natural predators’ is to be unchallenged. Uncontested, the population continues to expand and invade other territories. These studies infer the potential impact this species can have on the developing ecosystem. What this exhibition presents is a controlled space that allows these organisms to exist for examination. The observer is encouraged to interpret, hypothesize and form their own conclusions.
Exhibition Closing Reception
A closing reception for No Natural Predators & Susurros Ruidosos / Loud Whispers will be on Friday, April 16 from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Exhibition Period
No Natural Predators & Susurros Ruidosos / Loud Whispers will be on view from April 5 until April 16, 2021.
Due to COVID-19, visitors to the gallery are required to follow policies regarding face coverings at UTSA found here.
Gallery Hours
Thursdays - Saturdays: 10 am until 3pm and by appointment.
This exhibition is free and open to the public.
We politely ask that appointment requests be made by email one week in advance to allow appropriate time to coordinate scheduling with Art Department Staff.
Questions
If you have any questions about this exhibition, please contact art.events@utsa.edu.
UTSA Main Art Gallery
Arts Building, 2.03.04
UTSA Main Campus
One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249.
Exhibition Gallery
