ABC No Rio in Exile–at 292 Gallery–presents Standing Outside The Closed Door, an exhibition featuring nine artists whose work explore cross-cultural identities as experienced from both sides of our American physical, cultural and social border.
Exhibiting artists include Andrea Bonin, Patricia Espinosa, Mónica Félix, Carla Hernandez, Isabel Nazario, Nana Olivas, Kaitlynn Redell & Sara Jimenez, and Yilis del Carmen Suriel.
Inspired by a quote from Marguarite Duras’ novel, “The Lover”, in which the author writes, “I’ve never written, though I thought I wrote, never loved, though I thought I loved, never done anything but wait outside the closed door,” this exhibition demonstrates that, while haunted by the echoes of colonialism, these artists reject the idea of passively waiting outside and instead affirm their heterogeneity.
Each woman in this exhibition straddles dual spheres and confronts barriers that make her question where it is she belongs and where she feels most at home. Whether being separated by language, complexion, education, geography or socio-economic status from the people with whom she shares bloodlines, home towns or upbringings, she shares a sense of longing to break through and be at home with herself, and the wider world. And it is through this dual experience that leads to breakthroughs and broader empathy.
Exhibition funded in part with support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts.