Xavier Tavera and Maria Cristina Tavera
Green Crescent Public Art
Xavier Tavera
After moving from Mexico City to the United States, Xavier Tavera learned what it felt like to be part of a subculture- the immigrant community. Subjected to alienation has transformed the focus of his photographs to share the lives of those who are marginalized. Images have offered insight into the diversity of numerous communities and given a voice to those who are often invisible. Tavera has shown his work extensively in the Twin Cities, nationally and internationally including Germany, Scotland, Mexico, Chile, Uruguay and China. His work is part of the collections of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, Plaines Art Museum, Minnesota Museum of American Art, Minnesota History Center, Ramsey County Historical Society and the Weisman Art Museum. He is a recipient of Bronica scholarship, the McKnight fellowship, Jerome Travel award and State Arts Board.
Maria Cristina Tavera (“Tina”) is a Latinx artist, independent curator, and cultural organizer influenced by her transnational upbringing between Minnesota and Mexico. As an artist, she creates complex compositions to investigate constructions of race, ethnicity, gender, national and cultural identities. Tavera has an MA in Public Affairs-Leadership in the Arts from the University of Minnesota Humphrey School. She has received fellowships and grants from the Archibald Bush Fellowship, McKnight Visual Arts Fellowship, Smithsonian Latino Museum Studies program, Museum of Modern Art-New York, Forecast Public Art, Minnesota State Arts Board, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC), and Institute of Mexicans Abroad (IME). Tavera has exhibited and curated shows nationally and internationally. Her artwork can be found in the collections of the Weisman Art Museum, Fargo Plaines Museum, and the Tweed Museum of Art. Her publications include essays for the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, as well as a book titled, Mexican Pulp Art.