War of the Walls - Rebellion and Graphic Art in Oaxaca

Jan. 2 - Feb. 29, 2008 | Photography by Aaron Tukey

PhotoEmerge presents War of the Walls, a photo essay by Aaron Tukey, at Medallion Gallery in Boston.

When I first started following the uprising in Oaxaca, Mexico, I must admit that I was dismayed to hear that artist-activists were tagging buildings with revolutionary graffiti, including some centuries-old colonial gems like the church of Santo Domingo. In the officialist local press, these activists were invariably labeled as "vandals" - despite my general sympathies for the social movement in Oaxaca, I was initially inclined to agree with that description.

But when I traveled to the region in the spring of 2007 - for the first time in many years - I found myself rethinking the simplistic picture I had been handed of the architectural patrimony of Oaxaca falling victim to rampaging anarchists. I found that the city of Oaxaca had indeed been substantially vandalized since I visited last - but the most lasting and damaging vandalism was inflicted at the hands of the State, with support from local business elites. In the war over Oaxaca's walls, I began to see reflections of broader questions over the incremental enclosure of public space, and the role of art in social change. ... - Aaron Tukey (Read the entire Artist Statement here).

Exhibit: January 2 - February 29, 2008
Curator: Naveed Nour
Artist Reception & Talk: Thursday February 3rd, 2-4pm

Medallion Gallery
234 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116
617-236-8283 |  www.medalliongallery.com

Gallery Hours: Monday -Saturday 10:30AM - 5:30PM

For directions please visit www.medalliongallery.com/contact.html