STC Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery celebrates Mexican movie art, film

Mid-Valley Campus
October 30 – December 12, 2008

“Dos Charros y Una Gitana” movie poster print by Ernesto Garcia Cabral, 1956.

South Texas College’s Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery, in conjunction with the Agrasanchez Film Archive, is proud to present “A Day in the Life: Comic Illustrations and Cinema Prints” by Ernesto Garcia Cabral. The exhibit features a collection of 1950s movie posters and illustrations by famed Mexican caricature artist “Chango” Cabral. The exhibit opens Thursday, Oct. 30th with a reception from 11:30am-12:30pm at STC’s Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery located at 400 N. Border, Weslaco. Admission is free and open to the public.

Ernesto Garcia “Chango” Cabral (1890-1968) was one of the most famous caricaturists in Mexico, and is still remembered as one of Mexico’s outstanding artists of the 20th century.
The movie poster prints on display are from the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema. Many of Cabral’s movie posters depict images of famous Mexican comedians such as Cantiflas and Tin Tan. Also on display will be advertisement illustrations from the covers of Mexico’s “Jueves de Excelsior” magazine.

In addition, STC’s Library Art Gallery will showcase the legacy of Mexican film maker, producer and writer Rogelio Agrasanchez, who filmed many movies throughout Latin America, and even in the Rio Grande Valley. His son, Rogelio Agrasanchez Jr, owner and curator of the Agrasanchez Film Archive and author of various books on Mexican cinema history, has donated the Ernesto Garcia Cabral collection for exhibition.

In regards to his work, Ernesto Garcia Cabral said, "In the movie poster, my work is reduced to stirring curiosity in the audience for the film. When I draw them, I must only think in the audience that sees them, and help them with my imagination so they travel into their plot." ("Cine Mundial", Mar. 28, 1953)

“It’s an unexpected wonder discovering the vibrant colorful poster archives of Agrasanchez,” said David Freeman, curator and programs coordinator of STC’s Library Art Galleries. “This collection is a superb visual history of graphic design and illustration, not to mention a beautiful and creative representation of culture and identity that STC is very proud to present.”

The exhibit will remain open through Friday, Dec. 12th and will then travel to STC’s Starr County Campus Library Art Gallery in Rio Grande City and be on exhibit from Feb. 5 through Mar. 6, 2009.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery program exhibits regional, national and international artwork, explores new visions and theories of creativity, and introduces innovative artistic expressions to the South Texas region.

For more information call 872-3488, email libraryart@southtexascollege.edu or visit  www.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart.