Descansa en el Poder
(Rest In Power)

Solo exhibition featuring Denise Zubizarreta

October 26, 2024-January 12, 2025

Part of our Stories_UnderScored exhibition program.

About Descansa en el Poder (Rest In Power)

Curated by Tya Anthony

English

In the sacred embrace of Descansa en el Poder (Rest In Power), Zubizarreta extends a heartfelt invitation to join a spellbinding odyssey through the intricate tapestry of the Caribbean’s often overlooked stories.

This immersive experience serves as a profound introspection into the realms of family, ancestry, and the potent echoes of personal narratives intricately interwoven with the spirits of these forgotten figures.

Within this exhibition, every brushstroke and installation becomes a vessel carrying the essence of untold stories, inviting participants to commune with the powerful spirits that reside within.

Descansa en el Poder isn’t merely an exhibition; it’s a spiritual passage where the viewer can connect intimately with the past, feeling the heartbeat of ancestral tales pulsating in the present.

Journey with Zubizarreta as we unravel the threads of forgotten narratives, invoking the spirits, and finding solace in the powerful resonance of untold stories.

Spanish

En el abrazo sagrado de Descansa en el Poder, Zubizarreta extiende una sentida invitación a unirse a una odisea fascinante a través del intrincado tapiz de las historias del Caribe que a menudo se pasan por alto. Esta experiencia de inmersión sirve como una profunda introspección en los ámbitos de la familia, la ascendencia y los potentes ecos de narrativas personales intrincadamente entrelazadas con los espíritus de estas figuras olvidadas. 

En esta exposición, cada pincelada e instalación se convierte en un recipiente que transporta la esencia de historias no contadas, invitando a los participantes a comunicarse con los poderosos espíritus que residen en su interior.

Descansa en el Poder no es simplemente una exposición; es un pasaje espiritual donde el espectador puede conectarse íntimamente con el pasado, sintiendo el latido de los cuentos ancestrales pulsando en el presente.

Viaja con Zubizarreta mientras desentrañamos los hilos de narrativas olvidadas, invocamos a los espíritus y encontramos consuelo en la poderosa resonancia de historias no contadas.

Images from the artist & curator talk and opening reception of Descansa en el Poder.

Photos by Dr. Courthney Russell, Jr

Descansa en el Poder Artist Statement

English

As a Caribbean artist, I find myself drawn to the spiritual realm of reclaiming forgotten figures in our history, restoring their stories eclipsed by the dominant colonial narrative. Descansa en el Poder becomes a sacred vessel, allowing their silenced voices to rise, affirming their significance, and celebrating their enduring spirit.

Woven from the fabric of my heritage and personal experiences, the exhibition creates a transcendent bridge between past and present, beckoning viewers into a rich narrative that challenges preconceived notions.

Through immersive multimedia installations and vibrant artistic expressions, this exhibition not only redefines the role of art in reclaiming history but also channels the very energies of these figures. Their presence permeates the space, establishing a profound connection between the audience and the resilient souls forgotten in the shadows.

Descansa en el Poder is an homage to the strength of the Caribbean’s overlooked figures, an exploration of the sacred ties binding us to our ancestors, and a courageous reimagination of narratives shaping our understanding of the past. I invite you to embark on this spiritual journey, to commune with the spirits of the past, collectively honor their legacy, challenge the present, and pave the way for a future where our reverence is not for conquest but for the indomitable fortitude of those who came before us.

Spanish

Como artista caribeña, me siento atraído por el ámbito espiritual de recuperar figuras olvidadas de nuestra historia, restaurando sus historias eclipsadas por la narrativa colonial dominante. Descansa en el Poder se convierte en un recipiente sagrado que permite que sus voces silenciadas se eleven, afirmando su significado y celebrando su espíritu perdurable. 

Tejida a partir del tejido de mi herencia y experiencias personales, la exposición crea un puente trascendente entre el pasado y el presente, invitando a los espectadores a una rica narrativa que desafía las nociones preconcebidas.

A través de instalaciones multimedia inmersivas y vibrantes expresiones artísticas, esta exposición no solo redefine el papel del arte en la recuperación de la historia, sino que también canaliza las energías mismas de estas figuras. Su presencia impregna el espacio, estableciendo una conexión profunda entre el público y las almas resilientes olvidadas en las sombras. 

Descansa en el Poder es un homenaje a la fuerza de las figuras pasadas por alto del Caribe, una exploración de los lazos sagrados que nos unen a nuestros antepasados ​​y una valiente reinvención de narrativas que dan forma a nuestra comprensión del pasado. Los invito a embarcarse en este viaje espiritual, a comulgar con los espíritus del pasado, honrar colectivamente su legado, desafiar el presente y allanar el camino para un futuro donde nuestra reverencia no sea por la conquista sino por la fortaleza indomable de aquellos que vino antes que nosotros.

2024 Exhibition Theme: Stories_UnderScored

Through a curated series of exhibitions, programs, and events, we invite you to journey through the hidden corridors of history to celebrate the lives and legacies of those whose voices have been systematically underrepresented, and the stories which are at the center of RedLine’s collective communities.

About Denise Zubizarreta

Denise "The Vamp DeVille" Zubizarreta is a neurodivergent mixed media interdisciplinary artist and cultural operations specialist of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, with over a decade of experience in various creative fields. She is currently an arts and culture writer for multiple leading publications that offer curated and critical perspectives on contemporary arts and culture.

Denise holds a B.F.A. in Fine Art from the Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD), and is completing her Masters in Arts Leadership and Cultural Management (M.A.L.C.M.) at Colorado State University. Her passion for arts and culture drives her to explore and challenge the intersections of post-colonial theory, identity, technology and traditions in her writing and mixed media works.

About Tya Anthony

Art Education & Community Outreach Director at RedLine

Tya Alisa Anthony (b. 1978) is an interdisciplinary artist and independent curator based in Denver, Colorado. Her work delves into themes of domestic resilience, social justice, human rights, and identity, utilizing sculptural painting, photography, and collage to refocus the narratives of people of color. By highlighting the social, economic, and natural environments of her subjects, Anthony reimagines historical narratives, creating autonomous spaces for bodies of color and using core memories as a form of catharsis.

Anthony earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with summa cum laude honors from Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. Alongside her artistic endeavors, she serves as the Director of Education & Community at RedLine Contemporary Art Center, is the founder of Mahogany Vū Contemporary Virtual Gallery, and edits Contemporary Thought Magazine, Living Culture: A Mahogany Vū for BIPOC artists of the Diaspora.

Her influence in the art world extends beyond her personal work. She contributes as a journalist to Hyperallergic Magazine, is a TANK Studios alum artist, a RedLine Artist in Residence alum, and an advisory board member for Leon Gallery and the Colorado Photographic Arts Center. She also formerly served on the Board of Tilt West. Anthony’s art has been exhibited nationally and is part of permanent collections at the Denver Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Center for Visual Arts, LEON Gallery, and RedLine Contemporary Art Center.

Support

RedLine would like to thank The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Denver Arts & Venues, The David & Laura Merage Foundation and the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District for their support of RedLine.