Erin CurrierFrom Taos to Laos, August 12 – 27, 2014

From Taos to Laos

I have focused my latest series on the parallels between two corners of the world that are particularly dear to my heart, and where I have spent most of my time for the past three years: Southeast Asia and the American Southwest. In the public sphere, Buddhist temples, alleyway shrines, and household altars in Southeast Asia are as prevalent as adobe chapels, roadside descansos, and household nichos inhabited by santos in New Mexico. The personal relationship with the divine feminine, embodied in Kwan Yin in Asia and Our Lady of Guadalupe in New Mexico, run as deep in their respective cultures as the Mekong River and the Rio Grande. Both regions share a culinary appreciation for hot chili, an affinity for both cowboy culture and, surprisingly, lowrider culture in Thailand, as well as a love for Western films and beauty queen competitions. On a deeper level, both regions endure similar encroaching ecological threats and economic impacts, and both manage to sustain powerful indigenous communities with strong cultural traditions. Both have given rise to gifted artisans and craftsmen, and there areas many chromed-out tuk-tuks in Luang Prabang and Bangkok as there arelow-riders in the Española Valley!

Tuk Tuk Gaucho, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 72" h x 60" w

Tuk Tuk Gaucho, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 72" h x 60" w

Fiesta Queens VI, acrylic and mixed media on panel36" h x 48" w (each panel); 36" h x 96" w (diptych)

Fiesta Queens VI, acrylic and mixed media on panel36" h x 48" w (each panel); 36" h x 96" w (diptych)

Miss Siam, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 36" h x 24" w

Miss Navajo Nation, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 36" h x 24" w

Kwan Yin, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 36" h x 24" w Guadalupe, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 36" h x 24" w

Kwan Yin, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 36" h x 24" w Guadalupe, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 36" h x 24" w

Wu Ma (Dark Horse) as the Buddha, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 36" h x 24" w

Lila Downs, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 24" h x 18" w

Saint Teresa of Avila, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 24" h x 12" w P’otsunu: Geronima Cruz Montoya, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 24" h x 18" w

Saint Teresa of Avila, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 24" h x 12" w P’otsunu: Geronima Cruz Montoya, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 24" h x 18" w

Elliot Haas as the Buddha, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 36" h x 24" w

Sombath Somphone as the Buddha, acrylic and mixed media on panel, 36" h x 24" w

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