Outside the Antler Gallery a sign reads, “Figurative, Narrative, Illustrative”. This sign announces in no uncertain terms the focus of the gallery and of the curators Neil Perry and Susannah Kelly. In their recently opened show ‘Sin Fronteras’, Antler gallery showcases work from the Neter Collective in Mexico City. In the following interview Miroir magazine correspondent Siolo Thompson, talks to Antler about their mission and the new work they are showing.
Q: The work you are showing in Sin Fronteras is from the Neter Collective in Mexico City. Can you tell us more about the collective and how the relationship between Antler and the collective was formed?
A: The link with Neter came exclusively through Portland artist Meg Adamson. We have worked with Meg a few times since we opened, her first solo show with us was actually work she made for a gallery show in Mexico city where she has gone for months at a time over the last few years. She built a relationship with them on her trips and through her we were able to make the connection and put this show together, she even brought the work back with her from her last visit.
Q: Is there an overarching theme to the work being presented? How was the collection curated?
A: Meg and the Neter artists put the collection together; we didn’t set a theme beyond proximity. The work also showcases work made in Mexico by two artists who live within blocks of antler, Meg and Angy Wills. I guess if there is an overarching theme it is that being in Mexico, either as a resident or visitor, has an influence on your creative output. I actually think the installation Meg made, which is the title piece, represents the theme more than any other piece. Sin Fronteras translates as ‘without borders’, an idea personified by the coyote leaping though the macramé chain-link fence she made from her own hand-dyed and braided rope. She is so hard working; it was amazing to see her put that together.
Q: Are there any pieces in the collection that are favorites or particularly noteworthy?
A: For Susannah and I, ‘The Hunt’ by Marianna Magdeleno really appeals to our personal taste although there are other works that stand out simply because they’re on the periphery of what we would usually show, such as ‘Melted Devil Girl’ by Carlos Olivera.
Q: For Antler – as a gallery have you shown work from an international collective before? How did the decision to invite the Neter collective to show come about? How do you think the work will be received?
A: No, we have never had this opportunity before and we are very grateful to Meg for all the work she put into this show. We made the decision together actually, we were talking about having Meg bring her Mexico show back to Portland for a second time and in the course of the discussion this idea came up. We decided it would be much more interesting and perhaps mark the start of a relationship between our gallery and the collective. We hope it is received positively; an integral part of our mission as a gallery is to showcase work made in other places. We feel it’s very important, as much as we love the Portland aesthetic, to see what is born out of different geographical experience. This is the biggest jump we’ve taken, but as always, we have that Portland element to the show also, with the work made by Meg and Angy.
Sin Fronteras is on display July 25th to August 26th. Visit Antler everyday from 11 to 7 PM at 2728 NE Alberta St. Portland, Oregon 97211.