ALBUQUERQUE, NM - Henry Morales and Kerry Bergen's Cruzando is a journey of two artists crossing external borders in ancient and futuristic worlds. The artists' illustrations intersect with nature, animals and people as vehicles to connect at different points in space and time. The fusion of culture and fantasy creates a dialogue of travel across time and connects the viewer with past, present and future worlds. Cruzando will be on display at the KiMo Theatre art gallery from December 14, 2017 to February 5, 2018. 
Zia Biker by Henry Morales

An opening reception will be on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 5-8 p.m.
It was Morales' travels to Brazil, the Amazon and the Himalayas where he gained insight about his visions and spiritual stories through his art. Morales translates images by carving wood and using paper and ink as a catalyst.
The intricately carved organic wood cuts reflect a culture deeply embedded in his family roots.The prints are composed of indigenous flora, fauna and fantastic characters entwined with textured cuts and pathways that bring his stories to life.
"Living in the southwest for most of my life and connecting with the ancient people who have lived here, I have experienced a deep understanding of the culture and land," Morales said. 

He explains that his awareness as an artist is enhanced by real life observations of nature and landscapes that he then transforms into woodcuts. Morales explores the unification of human form and nature using an organic process of natural materials. The stories are embedded in the wood which are carved out intuitively and create bodies of work that reflect his travels and culture.

Morales' studies have been focused on lithography at the McNay Art Institute in San Antonio, Texas and San Antonio College of Fine Arts. As a muralist, his work has been commissioned by Lincoln Mercury and television productions. He has exhibited in galleries in New Mexico and Texas.  Local cultural events have given Morales the opportunity to mentor and teach print making to children and families in the community.

Aztec Astronauts by Kerry Bergen
Morales' prints are juxtaposed with boldly colored, cultural themes of Bergen's contemporary illustrations. Images of ravens morphed from rulers of ancient lands time travel over deserts to collect and preserve seeds as a woman waiting for her ride transports into the future to become an Aztec astronaut. Iconic images of young women are portrayed as incarnations of inner strength and courage.
Bergen explains that her art is an interpretation of social, historical and cultural arts. 

"In my work, I deconstruct iconic images and interpret them by building on symbolic messages," she said. "Having engaged in subjects as diverse as the Mexican Revolution, Latino arts, traditional Spanish Colonial arts and pop culture, I reproduce familiar visual signs and some derived from ancient motifs, arranging them into conceptually layered pieces."

In Bergen's work, elements of the uniqueness of the natural world overlap and serve as a vehicle to convey the influence of nature. Her intention is to bring awareness of identity in nature and how it connects us in community, culture and tradition.
Bergen teaches multicultural and fine arts workshops to children and adults in public and private schools, art centers and museums. She began teaching in 2000 and has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of children and families from many diverse cultures through out New Mexico.
Bergen attended UNM College of Fine Arts, CNM, The Art Center Design College, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Continuing Education Latin American Iberian Institute.

Bergen's mission is to help children and families learn more about the diversity in their world and how we live simultaneously, in multiple cultures with the intention to introduce a concept of art, the tools with which to create it, and to guide them to make beautiful art using their own individual insights.