“Sueños Americanos/American Dreams,” an exhibition of works by painter Cornelio Campos, is on display through Oct. 15 in the FedEx Global Education Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Campos will speak about his work at a public reception and viewing at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at the center.
The exhibit includes more than 30 paintings, primarily in acrylic on canvas, ranging from 5 inches by 7 inches to 48 inches by 96 inches. Many of the paintings juxtapose icons of American and Mexican culture to address such contemporary political issues as immigration, the U.S.-Mexico border and cultural identity.
In his artist’s statement, Campos notes that the pieces address a number of issues “faced by people from Central and South America – the lingering cultural significance of Spanish colonization and the experience of creating a life in a new country.”
Born in Mexico, Campos now lives in the United States. Using a folkloric art style, he presents such everyday scenes of Mexican life as selling handmade crafts, connecting with family and celebrating religious traditions.
This exhibition, with text in English and Spanish, is co-sponsored by the geography department with support from the North Carolina State University interdisciplinary studies department.
The center, at 301 Pittsboro Street, is at the corner of Pittsboro and McCauley streets. Parking may be available in the garage under the building weekdays after 5 p.m. and on Saturdays. Building hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning Aug. 20. Before Aug. 20, the building is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.