Close Menu
    Latest Edition
    FabUK Magazine Unveils Its 27th Edition Featuring Anya Taylor Joy and Announces Major Expansion Plans
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Fabuk MagazineFabuk Magazine
    • Fashion

      SANYUKTA SHRESTHA SS26 LFW CATWALK

      7 October 2025

      Chinese Golden Age Models Redefine the Runway in Paris

      6 October 2025

      SHUTING QIU TENDER REBELLION SS26

      6 October 2025

      ZOUXIN Brings “Earth’s Memory – Manifested Silhouettes” to Paris During Fashion Week

      6 October 2025

      Hengdi Wang SS26 “EXOGENESIS” Stuns at London Fashion Week

      4 October 2025
    • Film

      AWARD PLACEMENTS REVEALED AT 2025 STUDENT ACADEMY AWARDS

      7 October 2025

      Ferrara Film Festival Kicks Off: Co-artistic Director Claudia Conte Promises a Free and Meritocratic Festival

      22 September 2025

      A House of Dynamite Ignites the Red Carpet at Venice Film Festival

      3 September 2025

      Stars at Venice: “Father Mother Sister Brother” Red Carpet Captivates at 82nd Film Festival

      2 September 2025

      Red Carpet for The Wizard of the Kremlin at Venice International Film Festival

      1 September 2025
    • Music

      GLORIA ESTEFAN & NATHY PELUSO UNITE FOR ELECTRIFYING “CHIRRIQUI CHIRRI” REMIX

      26 September 2025

      RITA ORA UNVEILS SULTRY NEW SINGLE “ALL NATURAL” ALONGSIDE ACCOMPANYING MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTED BY TAIKA WAITITI

      25 September 2025

      Andrei Irimia Brings ‘Lights & Shadows’ to Paris and Beyond

      25 September 2025

      Global Superstar Rauw Alejandro Reveals 26 September Release Date For New Album And Teases Tracklist

      17 September 2025

      Mimi Webb releases second album ‘Confessions’

      12 September 2025
    • Travel

      Six Ways to See the World: Which Travel Personality Are You?

      1 October 2025

      Why Portugal is the Perfect Destination for a Summer Getaway

      19 June 2025

      Top 5 Euro Destinations You Can’t Miss in 2025

      23 May 2025

      CRETE’S ELE VILLAS CELEBRATES FIRST SUMMER SEASON WITH SPECIAL OFFER

      15 April 2025

      Embracing Solitude in Nature: A Spring Guide to Solo Camping in Japan

      14 April 2025
    • Store
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Fabuk MagazineFabuk Magazine
    You are at:Home»Events»Art»Known Unknowns – Alida Cervantes
    Art

    Known Unknowns – Alida Cervantes

    4 April 20183 Mins Read
    WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Threads Copy Link Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Threads Copy Link Email

    Alida Cervantes journeys between Tijuana and San Diego, and her life and upbringing have inspired a series of works questioning the power-politics of sex, gender and fidelity.

    Alida Cervantes
    © Alida Cervantes Image courtesy of the Saatchi Gallery, London

    The “Casta” system of Latin America created a hierarchy of races, and with this came the distasteful distinctions between the supposed value and status of people of different races. While there is no lone element that leads Alida Cervantes’ exhibition, race is perhaps the only feature that would separate these humans, as the gender and sexuality of the subjects is shared universally and so it is these differences that form the basis of the power-relationships in Cervantes’ work.

    Obediencia features the lady of a house(white), summoning the butler (black). The clear racial divide is complicated however by a sexual element-the lady of the house is has exposed her breasts and is summoning the butler to clean up some wine the lady has deliberately spilled. Challenging the often-made assumption that the leading partner would be the man, this also highlights the racial and status divide between people in this period.

    Alida Cervantes 1
    © Alida Cervantes Image courtesy of the Saatchi Gallery, London

    The dominance of men over the sexual landscape is provoked in Mamá, a work featuring a family of three. The lady, presumably of Latina heritage, a white man, and a baby. The man, tall and muscular is however less distinctive than the baby, who is black. This can only call into question the fidelity of the woman, due to the natural assumptions surrounding the sexual tendencies of humans and this is further inflamed by the chasm between the assumed status of white and black people in Mexico during this period. Not only has this man’s sexual prowess been destroyed by another man, it has been done so by a black man, who can be found behind the white man’s back.

    These works are an affront to the supposedly “right-minded” people we are, once we understand the situations we are presented with and the uncomfortable truths that they represent. We see a naked white man in El Pretendiente , brandishing himself to a fully clothed woman of colour, alone. We understand the unpleasant back-story to this situation and the status of these characters through the clear juxtaposition of the “weak” and “strong” characters.

    Alida Cervantes 2
    © Alida Cervantes Image courtesy of the Saatchi Gallery, London

    Alida Cervantes exhibit is a deeply fascinating collage of questions, from sexuality to race and power. While this exhibit asks deep and potent questions of the viewer, it remains lighthearted due to the natural, Fresco-like style of Alida Cervantes.

    “Known Unknowns” will be on display at the Saatchi gallery until June 24, 2018.”

    By Danny Holden

    ALIDA CERVANTES Casta Saatchi Gallery San Diego sexual prowess Tijuana

    Related Posts

    6 Mins Read

    Design Museum plans overhaul of permanent gallery for 40th anniversary

    9 September 2025 Art
    2 Mins Read

    SOTSOG II – A Unique Dialogue Between Past and Present

    9 July 2025 Art
    4 Mins Read

    Parakeets, Plants, Heat Pumps and Hoovers: the Design Museum’s new display explores the boundaries between the artificial and natural world

    16 June 2025 Art
    2 Mins Read

    Saatchi Gallery Reopens Hit Exhibition “FLOWERS” for Extended Summer Run

    27 May 2025 Art
    Latest Edition
    FabUK Magazine Unveils Its 27th Edition Featuring Anya Taylor Joy and Announces Major Expansion Plans
    Art
    Design Museum plans overhaul of permanent gallery for 40th anniversary
    9 September 20256 Mins Read
    Art
    SOTSOG II – A Unique Dialogue Between Past and Present
    9 July 20252 Mins Read
    Art
    Parakeets, Plants, Heat Pumps and Hoovers: the Design Museum’s new display explores the boundaries between the artificial and natural world
    16 June 20254 Mins Read
    Art
    Saatchi Gallery Reopens Hit Exhibition “FLOWERS” for Extended Summer Run
    27 May 20252 Mins Read
    Fabuk Magazine
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Pinterest
    • How to get FabUK
    © 2015 - 2025 All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.