Abstract

In her artistic practice, Gina Gwen Palacios uses both traditional and non-traditional materials to illuminate the often underrepresented geographic and cultural narratives of South Texas, a region deeply shaped by the complexities of the U.S.-Mexico frontera (border). She will begin her presentation sharing the context for her body of work and its engagement with borderland histories before transitioning into her latest research on historical patents developed for farm workers. While examining local imagery in the Portal to Texas History and the Library of Congress, Palacios discovered a range of patents designed for laborers. However, these inventions primarily prioritize efficiency and productivity over the health and well-being of the workers themselves—reflecting the broader economic forces that have historically shaped the frontera.

This exploration raises critical questions about techno-capitalism and the racialized labor structures of the borderlands, where innovation often serves the interests of capital rather than the workers themselves. Were these inventors genuinely concerned with worker safety, or were they simply aiming to create faster and more efficient machines? In her presentation, Palacios will provide insights into her research, share selected works, and discuss her artwork from the series To All Whom It May Concern—a title derived from the opening line of many historical patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

About the presenter

Gina Gwen Palacios's artistic practice is based on research and reflection of her Latino family history, personal narrative and America’s current political climate. As an interdisciplinary artist she investigates multiple levels of representation through color and materials that emphasize the connection of those surroundings and the long cultural lineage of which she is part of. She uses traditional and non-traditional materials including paint, cardboard, cotton, and sandpaper, to highlight an often underrepresented geographic and cultural narrative. Through her work, she wants to create a platform for more Mexican American representation in all facets of the mainstream American narrative. She wants to make evident the visible edges where two cultures merge or collide—even when those two cultures were born and raised in the United States.

Palacios was born in Taft, Texas. She earned an MFA in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design, a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio Art at Brandeis University, an MA from The University of Texas at Austin in Instructional Technology, a BA from Texas A & M University--Corpus Christi in TV/Film and an AA from Del Mar College in Radio/Television. Palacios is currently an Associate Professor of Painting/Drawing and the Interim Director for the Center for Mexican American Studies at The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Palacios has exhibited in the US and abroad, including the Arlington Art Center (Arlington, VA), Carlsbad Museum (Carlsbad, NM), Asya Geisberg Gallery (New York, NY), Villa Victoria Center for the Arts (Boston, MA), List Art Center, Brown University (Providence, RI), BAIT15 (Abu Dhabi, UAE), Anteism Gallery (Montreal, Canada) and the Newport Art Museum (Newport, RI).