Ben Muñoz, “Heed”, chiaroscruo woodcut 66 x 40 inches, 2020.
Flatbed is pleased to be able to present the woodcuts of Ben Muñoz. The exhibition titled, Over My Head, will be held at the Flatbed Center For Contemporary Printmaking from June 26 to July 29. During this extended time of Social Distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Flatbed will make this important exhibition assessable by either appointment or virtual tour. The artist is also inviting the public to come in person to see the work with him by appointment on June 24 and 25. Flatbed and Muñoz are eager to for the artist and individuals to talk about the content of his work one on one.
Muñoz, whose work is gaining visibility all over Texas, recently completed a large series of woodcuts for the Art Center of Corpus Christi. The series The Endless Endevor are woodcuts that measure 100x52 inches. These massive pieces communicate both in scale and content the idea of life being larger and much more than ourselves. Running through this series and many of Muñoz’s work is the narrative of the history of Muñoz’s family. His family like many others in Texas came to Texas out of Mexico three generations ago. Muñoz writes: “The images in the work are stacked to symbolize the idea that each generation works hard to elevate their children and grandchildren. So that we can obtain things that were out of reach for previous generations. My ceiling is my daughter's floor; and because we will always have family to create a better future for, the endeavor is endless.”
The second series is titled Familia, it consists of four woodcuts each sized at 36x62. The final two prints of the series Heed and Epilogue are chiaroscuro woodcuts recently published in Austin at the Flatbed Press, the publishing arm of the Flatbed Center For Contemporary Printmaking. This will be the first time these prints are on public display as well as the first time that the series itself will be presented as a whole. This body of work explores cultural identity and how that might appear as a family assimilates into the United States. Muñoz states: “Familia documents my personal experience of how our culture and identity has changed throughout this process and explores what we lose and gain along the way. As the work documents this it also pays homage and honor to my past relatives who laid the foundation for our family. Generations of people who endured and sacrificed so that we could have opportunities that they didn't.”
An invitation from Ben Muñoz and Flatbed:
“Over My Head is an exhibition that speaks about heritage and family culture in a way that is relatable across racial and economic lines. It's work that is meant for us as people. I created these woodcuts from a personal narrative but these experiences and thought processes are not unique to me. During this pandemic however, large openings can pose a risk to public health. This presents us with the opportunity to maximize our individual time, which is what I'd like to do here. I want to invite you to have a socially distant yet intimate conversation. I will be in Austin, Texas for one week. Flatbed and I will arrange a time for us to sit down one on one conversations in the Flatbed gallery. We will make this as safe and as comfortable a visit as possible. Anyone interested in the art exhibition can view it with me in person and can ask as much or as little about the work as they would like. We can speak about the themes of the work and how it relates to us as people. I hope to speak to you.”
Flatbed follows CDC guideiines and limits gallery visits to groups of four or less groups that arrive together and ask that all wear masks inside. Flatbed’s gallery members will wear masks as well.