About — Catherine Tafur

Currently on view

 The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition

October 4, 2024–January 26, 2025

Great Hall, 1st Floor
BROOKLYN MUSEUM
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11238-6052

Prepare to be dazzled by the inaugural edition of The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition, illuminating the unparalleled breadth of talent in our borough. Uniting more than 200 artists, this major group show highlights the remarkable creativity and diversity of Brooklyn’s populace. The exhibition kicks off our 200th anniversary celebration and carries on the Brooklyn Museum’s tradition of amplifying voices from every corner of our community.

Spotlighting artists who have lived or maintained a studio in Brooklyn during the last five years (2019–24), The Brooklyn Artists Exhibition honors the borough’s dynamic present, storied past, and bright future. Selected by a committee led by esteemed artists Jeffrey Gibson, Vik Muniz, Mickalene Thomas, and Fred Tomaselli, participants represent a full range of disciplines, from drawing and painting to sculpture, video, installation, and beyond. Their creations tackle themes that resonate on both local and global levels—migration and memory, identity and history, uncertainty and turbulence, healing and joy. Together these works capture the vibrancy of both Brooklyn and its artists, who are bound by deep-rooted connections and a shared love of this singular place.

On view in the exhibition:

Catherine Tafur, Suburbia, 2023, Medium pigment ink pen, pencil, acrylic, watercolor, salt, mirrored mylar, yupo, pigment prints, on paper, 36” x 26” (paper size), 44.5” x 32.5.” (framed)

Statement on the piece:

My work delves into the complexities of queer immigrant identities and pervasive systemic oppression, drawing parallels between the political upheaval of my childhood in Peru and today’s injustices. After immigrating to the US, my experience as a queer youth amidst the homogeneity of white suburbia left me grappling with a profound sense of alienation. My piece, Suburbia, re-envisions Pre-Columbian figures in voguing poses, imbuing them with Queer signification. The depiction of rifles recalls the violence perpetrated by the Sendero Luminoso Maoist insurgency in 80s-90s Peru, while simultaneously evoking the epidemic of mass shootings in the US today. Figures made of collaged photos of placenta evoke themes of genesis and interconnectedness. Riot police defend the status quo of capitalist oppression symbolized by the charging bulls. A desperate signal for help emerges in the background, represented by a figure from Géricault's "Raft of the Medusa." The scene unfolds within the idealized space of a suburban yard, marked by the hegemonic symbol of the white picket fence, emblematic of bourgeois notions of domesticity and property ownership perpetuated by capitalist structures. A celestial Pre-Columbian deity, in conquistador armor rendered in mirrored paper, soars above, brandishing a hammer and sickle. This evokes both the specter of political violence and the prospect of anti-capitalist resistance, eliciting a tension between apprehension and aspiration within the viewer.

For hours, location, and visiting information, please go to https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/

Biography

Catherine Tafur is a Peruvian born artist based in New York City. Tafur spent their childhood in Peru in a bicultural home with a Japanese mother and Peruvian father before relocating to the US. The content of their work is informed by the experience of their youth as a queer, multiracial immigrant in American suburbia. Their drawings and paintings explore themes of political violence, queer sexuality, and marginalized identities. Their subjects are political and personal, feminist and confrontational. Since studying at the Cooper Union School of Art on a full scholarship, they have had numerous group and solo exhibitions.

Artist Statement

I make drawings and paintings of shockingly distorted figures in dramatic scenes. By combining flat abstract color fields, collage elements, and meticulously rendered forms, I create compositions full of symbolism and raw emotion. My work explores queer immigrant identities and the pervasiveness of oppression by drawing parallels between the political violence in my Peruvian childhood and myriad injustices today.

Publication

Catherine Tafur – Yearning to Breathe Free

Monographic publication on Peruvian-born, New York-based queer artist Catherine Tafur, focusing on the artist’s oeuvre from 2003 to 2019, with texts by Noah Dillon, Zachary Small, and a conversation with Eric Fischl. Published by Maus Contemporary.

Hardcover, 316 pages, full color, with over 150 illustrations, English language, approx. 12 by 9.6 in. (ca. 30,7 by 23,7 cm). ISBN: 978-0-9988397-2-1

For more information visit http://mauscontemporary.com/publications/

Resume

Born: 1976. Lima, Peru
Lives: New York City
Education: The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, School of Art, BFA

Selected Exhibitions:

2024 “Brooklyn Artists Exhibition.” Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn NY.

2023 “Catherine Tafur: Flight.” Maus Contemporary, Birmingham, AL*

2021 “Capitolism: The Normalization of Political Violence in the United States,” Maus

Contemporary, Birmingham, AL.

2020 “Night in America,” Maus Contemporary, Birmingham, AL.

2019 “Catherine Tafur: Yearning To Breathe Free,” Maus Contemporary, Birmingham, AL. *

2018 “Pulse Art Fair,” Maus Contemporary, Miami Beach, FL.

2017 “Catherine Tafur: Regime,” Equity Gallery, New York City, curated by Jessica Porter. *

2017 “Alien vs. Predator,” New Orleans Art Center, New Orleans LA, curated by Nicolas Aziz.

2017 “Paper Positions,” beta pictoris gallery | Maus Contemporary, Berlin, Germany.

2017 “Drawing Now Paris | Le Salon Du Dessin Contemporain,” Maus Contemporary, Paris,

France.

2015 “LGBT Artivism: LGBTQ Voices in the International Dialogue for Justice”, The WILD

Project, New York City, curated by Heidi Russell and Carol Polcovar.

2015 “Manifest: Justice”, TaskForce, Los Angeles, CA. Curated by Yosi Sergant.

2014 “Turnstiles”, Porter Contemporary DUMBO, Brooklyn, New York.

2013 “ACTIVATE NY”, The Abrons Arts Center, New York City, curated by Kristian Nammack.

2013 “Starting small”, Porter Contemporary, New York City.

2013 “Drink To Me: Contemporary Artist Views of Picasso, 40 Years Later”, Porter

Contemporary, New York City.

2012 “CORED: Paintings by Catherine Tafur”, Porter Contemporary, New York City. *

2012 “Body Beautiful”, Porter Contemporary, New York City.

2012 “Affordable Art Fair, artxwomen”, Porter Contemporary Booth, Los Angeles, CA.

2011 “Summer Print Show”, Aeon Art Projects, Niwot, CO.

2011 Irreversible: An International Art Project, MIA Art Fair, Miami Fl.

2010 “Factory II”, Irreversible Art Space, Miami FL, curated by Norelkys Blazekovic.

2010 Open Ground Gallery, Fountain Art Fair, New York City.

2010 “BYOA”, X Initiative, New York City.

2009 “Fantasy/Transformation”, BAG Gallery, Brooklyn, New York.

2009 “AGAST”, Gowanus, Brooklyn, New York.

2009 “The Ganesh Experiment”, BAG Gallery, Brooklyn, New York.

2009 “Catherine Tafur: Split”, Envoy Enterprises, New York City. *

2009 “Plus One”, BAG Gallery, Brooklyn New York.

2008 “El Nuevo Estilo”, Open Ground Gallery, Fountain Art Fair, Miami Beach, Florida.

2008 “Kindergarten”, The WCO Manhattan Open Center, New York City, curated by Aegi

Changsuk Park.

2008 “Indifference and Apocrypha – Cryptic paintings that echo memories, dreams, and

childhood”, The F.U.E.L. Collection, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, curated by Katerina

Lydon-Warner.

2007 “Crooked Mirror”, Envoy Gallery, New York City.

2007 “Underbelly”, BAG Gallery, Brooklyn New York.

2007 “Plus One”, BAG Gallery, Brooklyn New York.

2007 “Body Parts”, Luna Lounge, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York.

2007 “Open Ground Classic”, Bushwick Open Studios and Arts Festival, Brooklyn, New York.

2006 “Exhibition 19”, 14th Street Painters, New York City.

2006 “Fable”, The Naked Duck Gallery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

2005 “Exhibition 18”, 14th Street Painters, New York City.

2005 “Secret Affinities: Encountering the Communion of the Other”, Williamsburg Art &

Historical Center, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, curated by James Pinney.

2005 “Brooklyn Kommt in den Wedding: Ein Brooklyn-Berlin-Austausch, Galerie scherer8”,

Berlin, Germany, curated by Fridey Mickel.

2004 “Abundant Offerings”, Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, Williamsburg, Brooklyn,

curated by James Pinney.

2004 “Surfeit”, Zone: chelsea center for the arts, New York City, curated by Tim Dubitsky.

2004 “Psychological Archaeology”, Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, Williamsburg,

Brooklyn, curated by James Pinney.

2004 “Touched”, Open Ground Gallery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

2004 “Open Season”, Open Ground Gallery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

2003 “Catherine Tafur”, The National Museum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender

History, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, New York City.*

* denotes solo exhibition

Selected press and publications:

Small, Zachary and Dillon, Noah., Catherine Tafur: Yearning To Breathe Free, Maus Contemporary, 2019.

Martinique, Elena, The Many Layers of Catherine Tafur’s Political Art at Maus Contemporary, Widewalls Magazine, 2019.

Catherine Tafur, LIT: The Journal of The New School Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program No 26 Fall 2014: 49 – 55.

Ola Manana, Discussing CORED: An Exhibit of Paintings by Catherine Tafur, Talking Grid, 2012.

Steve V. Rodriguez, Political Artist Catherine Tafur gets to the core of global politics by painting vivd imagery that digs deeper into the surface, Progressive Pulse, 2012.

Art & Culture Gallery Notes, CORED: Paintings by Catherine Tafur, Hotel Americano, 2012.

Alison Martin, Dramatic, Politica Paintings Featured at Chelsea Gallery, Examiner, 2012.

Lehavi, Uri. The American Dream Becomes Monstrous. Art Channel, 2011.

Catherine Tafur: Falling in Love with the Wounded. Irreversible: An International Art Project Magazine, Winter 2010. Essays by Eric Fischl and Norelkys Blazekovic.

Catherine Tafur: Artwork, 2010. Writings by Eric Fischl, Bob Holman, and Catherine Tafur.

Bowen, Diane. Envoy Enterprises, Split; Catherine Tafur Solo Exhibition. Saatchi Online 4/9 2009.

Deliso, Meredith. Creativity is in the BAG; now go and check it all out. 24 Seven: Art SCENE 11/2/2007.