Arte en la Charrería The Artisanship of Mexican Equestrian Culture
Organized by International Arts & Artists
February 19 – June 5, 2011
Long before cowboys in the Lone Star State gained iconic status in American lore, the charro – or Mexican cowboy – established a culture in Texas with a nearly 500-year-old heritage dating back to the introduction of horses and cattle to the New World.
Arte en la Charrería contains more than 120 examples of the excellent craftsmanship and design distinctive to the Mexican cowboy. With leather work, costumes, textiles, silver and iron work as well as works on paper that illustrate the life of the charro, this exhibition showcases intricately hand-crafted objects that embody the very identity of the Mexican nation.
The exhibition introduces Museum visitors to the work of unique Mexican artisans who manufacture the articles and costumes that embellish and distinguish the charro tradition.
El charro proviene de una cultura de casi 500 años, que comenzó con la introducción de caballos y ganado al Nuevo Mundo, mucho antes que el vaquero de Tejas ganara estatus icónico en la mitología norteamericana.
Arte en la Charrería contiene más de 120 muestras de la excelente artesanía y diseño distintivo de la tradición ecuestre del charro mexicano. Con trajes, tejidos, trabajos de plata e hierro, e ilustraciones de la vida del charro, esta exposición bilingüe presenta objetos que personifican la identidad de la nación mexicana.
La exposición presenta a visitantes del museo, el trabajo excepcional de artesanos mexicanos que han fabricado los accesorios y trajes que resaltan la tradición del charro.
Arte en la Charrería: The Artisanship of Mexican Equestrian Culture is on view in the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Hall of Special Exhibitions February 19 through June 5.
Admission to the Museum’s exhibits, including Arte en la Charrería: $9 for adults; $8 for college students (with valid ID); $7 for seniors/military (with valid ID); $6 for youth ages 4-17, free for ages 3 and under.
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum is located at 1800 N. Congress Avenue at the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. For more information, call (512) 936-4649.
Arte en la Charrería: The Artisanship of Mexican Equestrian Culture was organized by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC in collaboration with Luis González, Marisú González and Gabriel Cabello. Image courtesy of Luis González Cárdenas.
