Portraits of My People
April 2 - April 26
Opening Reception on Arts Night Out
Titled "Portraits of My People," Mark Guglielmo's current work examines the costs that Italian immigrants and their descendants have faced to attain the benefits of whiteness in America. Through mixed media collage portraits inspired by archival photographs, he highlights the evolving identities of Southern Italians, who have transitioned from being viewed as demonized laborers to defenders of whiteness. Guglielmo employs collage and unmixed color to critique race within a fine art scene where these issues remain largely unaddressed. This work is particularly relevant in light of recent bans on critical race theory, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and more.
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Mark Guglielmo (he/him, b. 1970, New York City) is a multidisciplinary artist renowned for his layered figurative works that blend a variety of materials; best known for his collaged layered figurative works to critically engage with themes of race, class, migration, and power. Rooted in his New York upbringing, Guglielmo utilizes collage as a central element of his practice, connecting his art to his background in music through techniques like sampling and reconfiguring materials. His significant projects, such as “Portraits of My People” (2021-2025), honor his Italian lineage while addressing the complexities of identity and the fraught nature of race-making in America.
Italians and Whiteness in the U.S.: A Community Conversation
Sat April 19th, 4-5 pm
Join artist Mark Guglielmo, Jennifer Guglielmo (Professor of History, Smith College), and Heshima Moja (Composer/Musician/Sonic Architect) in the Barn Door Gallery