SALVADOR DOMINGUEZ: CULTURA DE DOMESTICIDAD

de boer (Los Angeles) is proud to present Cultura de Domesticidad, a solo exhibition by artist Salvador Dominguez, the artist's first in Los Angeles. Born to immigrant parents and growing up in Greater Los Angeles, Dominguez works between Chicago, IL, and Los Angeles, CA. This exhibition explores Dominguez's cultural heritage through the lens of domestic needlepoint patterns. These patterns hold significance for the artist, drawing connections to his cultural background, childhood experiences, and the materials blue-collar laborers use. Cultura de Domesticidad features a collection of small and medium-sized paintings. These works collectively examine themes of ethnicity, community, and the influence of cultural values. Dominguez utilizes custom-built wooden panels with a layered grid of mason lines as his canvas. He then applies encaustic, a hot wax-based painting medium, to recreate his mother's domestic embroidery, often incorporating floral and religious motifs. Transcending the boundaries of domestic crafts, Dominguez transforms age-old techniques and motifs and imbues the paintings with traditionally “feminine” practices, creating questions about preconceived notions of masculinity and artistry. Mexican needlepoint-known as “Otomí”, with a rich history and relationship to domestic life has also inspired artists such as Teresa Margolles and Abraham Cruzvillegas. For Dominguez, these works bridge a gap between the past and present, offering a powerful commentary on cultural memory and allowing for questions about social justice and political unrest through the lens of immigrant history and heritage.