TORONTO, January 20, 2016 — Since opening in May 2015 at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), more than 100,000 visitors have enjoyed ¡Viva México! Clothing & Culture – contributing to the Museum’s year-end attendance of 1,052,171 visitors. On display in the Patricia Harris Gallery of Textiles & Costume, the exhibition’s presentation has been enhanced by exciting demonstrations by visiting artists as well as a wide array of inspiring programming. Recent news and upcoming activities include:
- On Saturday, April 16, the all-day symposium Modern Mexico: Fusions, Fashion and Folk Art brings together internationally renowned experts to address Mexico’s rich and varied visual culture. Speakers include Chloë Sayer, the UK-based guest curator of ¡Viva México!, as well as eminent artist Humberto Spindola; author/Wellesley College Senior Lecturer James Oles; former director of Oaxaca’s Textile Museum Ana Paula Fuentes; and anthropologist Marta Turok.
- Artists who have appeared at the ROM have been recently honoured: master-dyer and weaver Arturo Estrada Hernández, who travelled from Mexico to demonstrate his talents at the ROM in October 2015, has again been recognised for his artistry. In December 2015, he was awarded the galardón (top prize) by the state of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Arturo’s stunning, ikat-dyed, hand-woven silk rebozo (rectangular shawl) was top-ranked in all categories. Crispina Navarro Gómez, who demonstrated the art of backstrap weaving at the time of the exhibition’s opening has won several awards since her ROM appearance. Most recently, she was honoured in the state of Oaxaca’s Christmas-themed competition, taking first prize for her woven miniature set of Nativity figures.
- The exhibition’s companion book Mexico: Clothing & Culture, by Chloë Sayer, with contributions by exhibition co-curator Dr. Alexandra Palmer, the ROM’s Nora E. Vaughan Fashion Costume Senior Curator, is available in the ROM Boutique and online.
¡Viva México! Clothing & Culture features approximately 150 pieces created in Mexico between the 18th and 21st centuries. This first-ever presentation of the ROM’s wide-ranging collection, spanning 300 years and reflecting Mexico’s indigenous and colonial past, opens a window onto Mexico’s colourful history and culture.
¡Viva México! Clothing & Culture, on display until May 23, 2016, is included with ROM general admission.
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Presented by:
This exhibition is generously supported by: