Memoria Grabada - Recorded Memory in Pasadena Aug. 27-Sept. 24

From August 27 – September 24, 2011, The Folk Tree presents Memoria Grabada - Recorded Memory, an exhibition curated by Daniel González, featuring the graphic work of three printmakers from different regions of North America - Alec Dempster in Toronto; Daniel González in Los Angeles; and Sergio Sánchez Santamaría in Mexico City. Together, they seek to preserve and share their personal experiences and varied notions of history through a graphic visual testimonial.

Alec Dempster is a visual artist and musician who was born in Mexico City and grew up in Toronto, where he received his formal training in art. His style is synonymous with the Son Jarocho folk music of Veracruz. For twelve years, his work has been a combination of research into oral histories, field recordings with elderly musicians, educational games, and professional performances with established Son Jarocho groups. His self-published book, Faces of Son Jarocho, a collection of biographies and linocut portraits of elderly musicians, singers and dancers from Veracruz, has just been released. He has recently returned to Toronto where he now lives and works.

Daniel González grew up in the community of Boyle Heights and began his art training at the age of twelve with muralist George Yepes. Much of his imagery draws from his family's narratives and histories that he has collected from his parents and grandparents living in Teul, Zacatecas. He makes parallels between old stories and current issues such as politics, social inequality and identity. Currently, he has completed a large public art commission for the Los Angeles Metro for the La Cienega Expo Line Station. He currently resides in Los Angeles.

Sergio Sánchez-Santamaría was born in Tlayacapan, Morelos. He attended the School of Fine Art "La Esmeralda" and the National Center for the Arts (INBA) in Mexico. His collaborations include illustrating books for the Seminary of Mexican Culture and the Instituto de Investigaciones Bibliograficas del UNAM. He works in a variety of printmaking techniques, from relief printing to etching. His subject matter addresses historical Mexican themes and contemporary social trends and is inspired by the art of Posada and Leopoldo Mendez. He currently resides in Mexico City.

The Folk Tree is located at 217 South Fair Oaks Avenue, minutes walking distance from the Gold Line’s Del Mar station, and just south of Old Pasadena. Hours are: M-W, 11-6; Th-Sat, 10-6; Sun, 12-5. www.folktree.com