A solo show by Colombian-American artist Bernardo Vallarino will provide a provocative and contemporary complement to José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico, the featured exhibition at the Arlington Museum of Art this fall.
Bernardo Vallarino: Hard on Guns, Gold & God poses profound and uncomfortable questions about armed violence and the ways society values human life.
A powerful and thought-provoking showcase, audiences will find themselves delving into the complex, contradictory, and intertwined themes of armed violence, the valuation of human life, and religion. The collection highlights connections between four of the artist’s sculptural series that span several years.
The solo show is being exhibited in the AMA’s Rooftop Gallery.
Content Warning: Please be aware that some works in this solo show contain depictions of violence, adult content, and difficult subjects. Bernardo Vallarino: Hard on Guns, Gold & God will run from October 21, 2023 – January 7, 2024.
Click here for tickets to see José Guadalupe Posada: Legendary Printmaker of Mexico.
About the Artist
A Colombian-American mixed-media sculptor whose work has been celebrated throughout North Texas and far beyond, Bernardo Vallarino strives to engage his audience not only visually but morally and philosophically. He finds inspiration in history, the media, his personal experiences, and his lifelong interest in entomology.
Vallarino, a NALAC (National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures) fellow, graduated with a BFA in sculpture from Texas Christian University and an MFA in the same field from Texas Woman’s University. He has exhibited widely at galleries and nonprofit spaces in Texas, Oklahoma, York (England), and Barcelona (Spain).
Vallarino received the 2020 Moss/Chumley North Texas Artist Award from the SMU Meadows Museum of Art and has displayed artwork at the Amarillo Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas.
In the Artist’s Words: Overview of the Show
Works from the Pedacitos de Paz (Fragments of Peace) project:
A central element of this exhibition is the ongoing project “Pedacitos de Paz,” an ever-expanding installation of ribbons surrounding a small desk with a magnifying glass. Ribbons are crafted to honor the victims of armed violence following tragic mass events. This deeply moving and immersive installation serves as a tangible reminder of the human cost of violence, inviting visitors to reflect on the consequences of our inaction as a society. The artworks that will be on display are some of the individual works that have emanated from this project.
New “Gun Fetish” works:
The exhibition also features works from the artist’s newest series, which explores the duality of the English word “fetish.” Through this series, the artist challenges societal attitudes towards firearms, examining the allure and obsession that surround them. These thought-provoking pieces encourage viewers to question their own perspectives on gun culture and its implications.
Religious related works:
Objects with profound references to religious practices and symbols are integrated into the exhibition. These artworks draw connections between the sanctity of life and the often-contradictory ways in which it is treated in our world. By juxtaposing religious imagery with the harsh realities of armed violence, the artist invites visitors to contemplate the discrepancies between written doctrine and the behavior of humanity towards those deemed unworthy.
Gold as a Visual Theme:
Throughout the exhibition, the theme of gold runs as a unifying thread, both visually and symbolically. Gold is often associated with opulence and value, making it a powerful symbol for the exhibition’s exploration of the inherent contradictions in our society’s priorities. Whether it is the shimmering hues of gold in the artworks themselves or the symbolism of preciousness, the use of gold underscores the exhibition’s critical examination of our values and their impact on our world.
