New Curator Josie Lopez brings local and global knowledge to the Museum.
University, I presented my research on satire, caricature, and freedom of the press from the perspective of 19th-
JOSIE LOPEZ, PH.D, joined the Albuquerque Museum as curator of art in
century Mexico. At that time, the attack
December 2018. Her research and curatorial projects have included examining
on the French satirical magazine Charlie
art as a discursive agent in the political arena, the intersections of art and the
Hebdo took place and it occurred to me
environment, modern and contemporary Latin American art, 19th-century France,
that my art historical research had a direct
Spain and Mexico, Spanish art from El Greco to Goya, and the history of New
connection to what is happening today.
Mexican art.
At University of California at Berkeley, the academic approach in art history shaped my understanding that it is
Josie Lopez with UC Berkeley Professor Genaro Padilla and Albuquerque Museum Director Andrew Connors
important to have a broad knowledge of both art and history. It is my job to tell stories by interpreting the incredible objects in the Albuquerque Museum collections as well as the works that we bring from all over the world.
Q
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE MUSEUM?
A
Collaboration, exchange, and conversation inform what I do. I
will think about how we tell the stories of our city and region within a larger context. We have a regionally specific identity but we are also connected globally. I will continue to develop relationships with other institutions in our state and beyond.
Q
WHAT EXPERIENCES WILL SHAPE YOUR WORK AT THE ALBUQUERQUE MUSEUM?
Museum and influenced my sense
A
the Museum a special place to work.
of being able to contribute to the collaborative environment that makes
Q
YOU WERE ON AN ACADEMIC PATH, BUT PIVOTED TO MUSEUM WORK. WHY?
A
It is important that my work be relevant, accessible, and
Curating The Carved Line: Block
Experiences like curating at 516 ARTS
Printmaking in New Mexico and
and being the Eleanor Tufts fellow at
reaching broader audiences. In the
writing the accompanying book was a
Southern Methodist University reinforced
museum field, there is a convergence of
wonderful opportunity to get to work
my interest in being relevant in our
research, storytelling, and community
with the talented staff at the Albuquerque
time and place. At Southern Methodist
that I am drawn to.
10
SPRING 2019
Art. History. People.
collaborative. I am interested in
