Justin Favela’s art starts with the material and structure of the piñata and evolves from there as he examines Chicano and Latinx culture. He brings Latinx cultural symbols into art institutions that have not always had a highly visible Latinx presence. With its bright colors, strong textures, and often large size, it is art that refuses to fade into the background.

In the Jewett Art Gallery, Favela will create a new piñata mural work. This large scale wall piece features landscapes seen in Disney movies that depict places in Latin America. This installation calls forth questions of belonging, subjective experience of place, and who can claim ownership over a landscape.

In addition to the exhibition, Favela will be joined by art historian Emmanuel Ortega to bring their popular podcast, Latinos Who Lunch, to Wellesley College in a series of events co-hosted by the Art Department and the Women’s and Gender Studies Department. Broadcasting as FavyFav and Babelito, the Latinos Who Lunch discuss pop culture, identity politics, and everything in between.

On Friday, November 17 they will give a lecture at 12:30 pm in the Jewett Auditorium, followed by a live podcast taping in Pendleton West 201 at 4:00 pm. All events are free and open the public. This exhibition will be on view in the Jewett Art Gallery from November 17 through December 10, 2017, with a gallery talk and opening reception at 6pm on the 17th. The Gallery is open 10am – 4pm, 7 days a week, on the 2nd floor of the Jewett Arts Center at Wellesley College.

For more information about the exhibition, contact Gallery Director Samara Pearlstein at 781-283-
2043 or spearls2@wellesley.edu.