Arte en la Charrería: The Artisanship of Mexican Equestrian Culture
Summary | Specifications | Tour Schedule | Images | Installations | Press | Checklist (PDF)
The very essence of the Mexican experience is exemplified by the culture of the charro, or Mexican cowboy. It is a rich legacy of tradition and valor, of honor and custom, of war and peace. To be a charro means to identify with a nearly 500-year-old heritage dating back to the introduction of horses and cattle to the New World.
Arte en la Charrería contains more than 200 examples of the excellent craftsmanship and design distinctive to the Mexican cowboy. With leather work, costumes, textiles, silver and iron work as well as works on paper that illustrate the life of the charro, this exhibition showcases intricately hand-crafted objects that embody the very identity of the Mexican nation. The exhibition introduces American audiences to the work of unique Mexican artisans who manufacture the articles and costumes that embellish and distinguish the charro tradition.
Don Luis Cárdenas González (Luis González) is the lender to Arte en la Charreria and is assisted by Gabriel de Jesus Caballo González and Marisú González German. The collection began in the late 19th century with his grandfather, Gumaro González, a landowner of Linares. It was passed to his son, Roberto González (Luis’ father), who increased Gumaro’s collection by acquiring charro saddles as well as by commissioning artisans. Roberto and his youngest son, Luis, worked together to increase the collection by traveling throughout the country seeking the best examples. More than a hobby, charrería represents to Luis González an important part of his life, and through his devotion he has formed one of the most complete collections of charro articles and the most important collection of charro saddles in Mexico.
Specifications:
| Number of Works: | 239 objects including leather work, costumes, textiles, silver and iron work as well as works on paper |
| Curator: | Santiago Espinosa de los Monteros, independent curator |
| Organized by: | IA&A |
| Approximate size: | 5000 square feet |
| Security: | High security |
| Shipping: | IA&A makes all arrangements; exhibitors pay outgoing shipping within contiguous US |
| Booking Time: | 12 weeks |
| Tour: | January 2009 - December 2012 |
| Contact: | Margalit Monroe |
Tour Schedule:
Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, Canada
October 25, 2008 - January 25, 2009
International Museum of the Horse, Lexington, KY
June 19, 2009 - September 11, 2009
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, OK
October 3, 2009 - January 2, 2010
The Museo Alameda, San Antonio, TX
January 27, 2010 - May 2, 2010
Oregon Historical Society, Portland, OR
July 31, 2010 - October 24, 2010
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indianapolis, IN
November 12, 2010 - January 16, 2011
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Austin, TX
February 9, 2011 - June 5, 2011
Hubbard Museum of the American West, Ruidoso Downs, NM
July 1, 2011 - January 1, 2012
The Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA
September 20, 2012 - December 2, 2012
Summary | Specifications | Tour Schedule | Images | Installations | Press
