Sur: Biennial is an exhibition series that made it’s first apeparance in 2011, and is still going strong today. Highlighting the impact of Latin American culture in art, this year’s compelling works are bold and in some instances, wonderfully surreal.
Works on exhibit include those by Carlos Beltran Arechiga, Carlos Rittner, chris velez, Elena Manero, Jesus Max, The Lowrider Alliance, Migues Rodriguez Sepulveda, and Priscilla Mondo.
The Lowrider Alliance also presented four absolutely gorgeous cars outside the museum on opening night, each their own work of art from metal work details to vibrant paint.
The entire exhibition shines with a glorious light, from those exhibited cars outside to culturally resonant photos taken by The Lowrider Alliance inside, to Carlos Rittner’s large and exciting neon, and chris velez ‘ glowing anime-style figure offering blessing from inside a tech version of a confessional booth.
velez also exhibits a wild update on the Sword and the Stone, with “The sword was never removed by a King it was thrust by a Saint” a sculpture that embeds a sword in a microfilm reader’s screen.
There are twisted, sinuous sculptures from Priscilla Mondo that despite their monumental size, seem to float on the gallery floor.
A massive oil and acryllic on sewn canvas painting by Carlos Beltran Arechiga, “Conjura,” (above) reveals fantastical pink and white figures that are both abstract and figurative at the same time; a smaller work by the artist was created in part by using different blends of coffees from Mexican Nescafe to Starbucks, each creating a different texture. The latter work, “Balance: Fragil” speaks beyond texture to the treatment of workers at coffee plantations.
Jesus Max displayed a compelling series of hyper-realistic paintings that flirt with surreal elements; Elena Manero’s paintings are graceful stories come alive with nuanced color, and Migues Rodriguez Sepulveda also contributes outstanding work.
Last, but certainly not least, Lowrider Alliance contributions to SUR Biennial were curated by Art Limon (President, Lowrider Alliance) featuring artists Alfonso “Fox” Orozco, Estevan Oriol, G. Alfaro, Gil Ortega, Horacio Romero, Ignacio Gomez, Teresa Rodriguez, Vidal Herrera.
In the museum’s dark room, executive producer Dolores Huerta, presents Backstreet to the American Dream (2021), an insightful and intimate film about race, labor, and class in modern-day America, focusing on blue-collar entrepreneurs and Latino immigrants in a 90-minute presentation.
Gallery Two also offers a fascinating and immersive exhibition…
In Affective Territories, Alternate Belongings, video and multimedia works focus on technology, its growing importance and our reliance on it, as well as its outgrowth of and from our human world. The exhibit is exciting, provocative, and leads the viewer into a world we know about but often prefer to remain unseen.
Exhibiting artists include: Allyson Packer and Jesse Fisher / United States, Camille Dumond/ Switzerland, Chrystele Nicot & Antoine Alesandrini / France, Holly Veselka / United States, Joe Harjo / United States, Laine Rettmer / United States, Margaret Noble / United States, Paul Moore / Northern Ireland (UK), Scott Massey / Canada, Sophie Dia Pegrum / British/American, Spencer Chang / United States, Woohee Cho / South Korea/ United States.
In short, TAM has once again curated a terrific group of exhibitions that speak to the immediate world, the future world, and our ongoing history.
Vibrant with color, alive, and thoughtful, these shows are worthy of a very long cruise down Whittier Boulevard and into East LA — and an extended visit to the Torrance Art Museum.
- Genie Davis; photos by Genie Davis
On behalf of the LA Lowrider Alliance and Chicano/Latino community. It is our pleasure to join you in celebrating the 2025 TAM, SUR BIENNIAL Exhibition. TAM is a creative modern art gallery that offers the best of both the art and Lowrider worlds. It is truly a unique and engaging experience for all ages to come visit. There’s something for everyone. It’s a must see exhibit and a great way to explore the art world and LA’s street vibe. The Lowrider Car exhibit was a one of a kind show. The Lowrider’s and artists are the most amazing people on the planet. It’s our honor to partner with you.
Thank you, curator, Art Limon. LA Lowrider Alliance.
It’s a wonderful exhibition.