Dr. Lakra
dal 23/2/2011 al 23/4/2011
Segnalato da
23/2/2011
Dr. Lakra
The Drawing Center, New York
Using a range of source material, from anatomy textbooks to magazine pin-ups and comic strips, Lakra looks to the contemporary iconography of tattoo art and borrows a rich sense of satire from his early interest in cartooning. He also builds on Mexican art historical traditions: the great muralists are called to mind in his sweeping wall drawings, and depictions of skulls and bones recall Jose' Guadalupe Posada's illustrations of skeletons.
curated by Assistant Curator Rachel Liebowitz
The Drawing Center announces the first solo exhibition in New York by Mexican artist Dr. Lakra
(b. 1972, Mexico). On view at 3 Wooster Street from February 25–April 24, 2011, Dr. Lakra is
presented in collaboration with the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston. Lakra will create a site-
specific wall drawing throughout the gallery, integrating works on paper.
Using a range of source material, from anatomy textbooks to magazine pin-ups and comic strips,
Lakra looks to the contemporary iconography of tattoo art and borrows a rich sense of satire from
his early interest in cartooning. He also builds on Mexican art historical traditions: the great
muralists are called to mind in his sweeping wall drawings, and depictions of skulls and bones recall
José Guadalupe Posada’s politically charged illustrations of skeletons, now widely associated with
the Day of the Dead. Lakra’s varied gestural and figurative styles nod toward Dada, Surrealist, and
German Expressionist influences, while his subject matter—including Japanese wrestlers and
African and pre-Columbian artifacts—signals an awareness of non-western traditions. For the work
in his Drawing Center exhibition, Lakra uses drawing as the most immediate artistic impulse to
invoke fundamental human urges like sex and violence.
Propelled to build mounting collections of things, both through the accumulation of found objects
and by the persistent diaristic creation of drawings, Lakra takes an interest in creating a
transformative visual overload. Drawing becomes both a permanent and elusive presence, as
temporary, site-specific work is set in play with the indelible mark-making act of tattoo art.
Merging representation with an invented universe, Lakra’s work transcends categorization and
challenges social norms.
Dr. Lakra (b. Jerónimo López Ramírez, 1972, Mexico) has created murals for the 2nd Trienal
Poli/Grafica de San Juan (2009) and The Centre for Contemporary Arts CCA, Glasgow (2007).
He was the subject of a solo museum exhibition at the ICA Boston (2010) and a two-person
exhibition with Abraham Cruzvillegas at Museo de Art Contemporáneo de Oaxaca, Mexico (2005).
He has participated in numerous group exhibitions including Martian Museum of Terrestrial Art,
Barbican Art Gallery, London (2008); Wunderkammer: A Century of Curiosities, Museum of
Modern Art, New York (2008); Escultura Social: A New Generation of Art from Mexico City,
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago (2007); and Pierced Hearts and True Love; a Century of
Drawings for Tattoos, The Drawing Center (1995).
Dr. Lakra is made possible in part by members of the Drawing Room, a patron circle founded to
support innovative exhibitions presented by The Drawing Center: Devon Dikeou and Fernando
Troya, Rhiannon Kubicka, Judith Levinson Oppenheimer, Elizabeth R. Miller and James G.
Dinan, Maartje Elisabeth Oldenburg, The Speyer Family Foundation, Inc., Louisa Stude Sarofim,
and Ann Tenenbaum and Thomas H. Lee.
Special thanks to Spencer Brownstone Gallery.
The Drawing Center is the only not-for-profit fine arts institution in the country to focus solely on
the exhibition of drawings, both historical and contemporary. It was established in 1977 to provide
opportunities for emerging and under-recognized artists; to demonstrate the significance and
diversity of drawings throughout history; and to stimulate public dialogue on issues of art and
culture.
PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Saturday, February 26, 2pm
Dr. Lakra and exhibition curator Rachel Liebowitz will lead an exhibition walk-through.
PUBLICATION
To accompany the exhibition, The Drawing Center will produce an edition in its Drawing Papers
series, featuring an essay by exhibition curator Rachel Liebowitz and images of the artist’s work,
including the exhibition installation. Available in March 2011.
Image: Dr. Lakra, Untitled, 2010. Ink on paper, 11 x 8 1⁄2 inches. January 30, 2011
Courtesy of the artist and kurimanzutto, Mexico City.
For further information and images, please contact
Emily Gaynor Public Relations and Marketing Officer
212 219 2166 x119 | egaynor@drawingcenter.org
Opening Reception: Thursday, February 24, 6–8pm
Press Preview: Thursday, February 24, 5–6pm
The Drawing Center
3 Wooster Street between Canal and Grand Streets) , New York
HOURS Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–6pm (closed Sundays and Mondays).