Anderson Gallery to feature Hispanic artists

“Painting Borges: Art Interpreting Literature,” an exhibition of work created by 16 artists in response to stories by prominent Argentinean writer Jorge Luis Borges, will open with a public reception from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 21 in the UB Anderson Gallery.

“Painting Borges” is one of three exhibitions opening that day in the Anderson Gallery in recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

The others, “Affinity in Print: Francisco Toledo and Jorge Luis  Borges” and  Selected Prints by Antoni Tàpies,” also will host public receptions from 6-8 p.m. in the gallery, located at One Martha Jackson Place near Englewood and Kenmore avenues. “Painting Borges” and “Affinity in Print” will run through Feb. 23, 2014.


“Painting Borges” is a collection of paintings, drawings, etchings and mixed-media works created by 16 artists from Argentina and Cuba responding to stories by Borges, whose writing is profoundly philosophical and prompts the reader to face the most fundamental questions concerning human existence.

Twelve stories by Borges are organized according to three topics: identity and memory, freedom and destiny, and faith and divinity. Many of the works in the exhibition were produced specifically for this project. Participating artists are Luis Cruz Azaceta, Alejandro Boim, Miguel Cámpora, Ricardo Celma, Claudio D’Leo, Laura Delgado, Héctor Destéfanis, Carlos Estévez, Etienne Gontard, José Franco, Mirta Kupferminc, Nicolás Menza, Mauricio Nizzero, Estela Pereda, Paul Sierra and Alberto Rey.

The exhibition opened at the Pabellón de las Bellas Arts in Buenos Aires in 2010; in addition to UB, it will be on view in seven other U.S. venues.

The UB exhibition is curated by Jorge J. E. Gracia, Samuel P. Capen Chair in Philosophy and SUNY Distinguished Professor. “Painting Borges: Philosophy Interpreting Life Interpreting Literature” (SUNY Press, 2012), a book written by Gracia, accompanies the exhibition.

In conjunction with the exhibition, three of the artists whose work is being exhibited will join Gracia for “Art Interpreting Literature: A Conversation with Three Artists,” a forum being held from 3-5 p.m. Sept. 20 in 121 Clemens Hall, North Campus. Taking part in the discussion will be Luis Cruz Azaceta, Carlos Estévez and Alberto Rey.

Support for the exhibition and programming is being provided by the Samuel P. Capen Chair, the UB Art Galleries, Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, UB Humanities Institute, and departments of Comparative Literature and Philosophy.

It is part of the College of Arts and Sciences Centennial celebrating 100 years of excellence in research, teaching and service.

Designed to complement “Painting Borges,” “Affinity in Print” features 19 prints by Mexican artist Francisco Toledo. The prints were chosen by curator Christopher Borschel, a museum studies intern, for their general commonalities between the artist and Jorge Luis Borges.

“Selected Prints by Antoni Tàpies,” on view in the Second Floor Gallery of the Anderson Gallery, consists of prints by Tàpies, a Spanish Catalan painter, sculptor, printmaker and art theorist. Tàpies established an international reputation by the late 1950s through his introduction of materials generally considered outside the realm of painting.

All exhibitions in the UB Anderson Gallery are free and open to the public. The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.