Join us for a new exhibition at the Museum of Art, José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico, featuring over sixty pieces of the artist’s work as well as contemporaneous artwork that is influenced by Posada’s style. The exhibit is on view November 4, 2022 through January 21, 2023.

José Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913) was a Mexican printmaker whose satirical political art and social engagement resulted in illustrations that were popular among the working class in Mexico. Employed by progressive publisher Antonio Vanegas Arroyo, Posada created expressive images that reflected the transitioning culture of Mexico at the end of the 19th century and early 20^th century. Despite his popularity, Posada died a poor man and was buried in a pauper’s cemetery. Shortly after his death other influential Mexican nationalist artists like Jean Charlot, Diego Rivera, and Frida Kahlo recognized the power of Posada’s work and began promoting him. It was these artists who would establish and encourage the Posada legend that has lasted well into the 21^st century, as demonstrated by the Grateful Dead and the band’s use of skeletal figures in their record covers and logo designs.

This exhibition brings together over 60 pieces of the artist’s work, from broadsides, and advertisements, to notebooks, and some of the artist’s original printing plates. Additionally, over twenty contemporary pieces of artwork that use his images or were influenced by his style also are presented.

The exhibition was organized by the Catalina Island Museum, in association with the Posada Art Foundation. Museum tour organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA.  

The museum is located at 491 N. Main St. and is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 4:30pm and Saturday 9am to 4:30pm. There is no admission fee. The museum is accessible from RoadRUNNER Transit Route 1 Stop 1. For additional information, visit the website at https://www.lascruces.gov/museums or call (575)541-2137.