First Friday Gallery Reception: Alejandra Carrillo’s 'The Struggle for Indigenous Liberation'

The Indianapolis Liberation Center’s Arte Mexicano en Indiana presents The Struggle for Indigenous Liberation by artist and activist Alejandra Carrillo. Carrillio’s work was recently featured at the Eiteljorg Museum’s Día de Muertos festival and the Mexican Consulate in Indianapolis.

A graduate of the Herron School of Art and Design at Indiana University Indianapolis, Carrillo’s artwork centers on the plight of indigenous women striking back at a system designed to hold them at the bottom of society or even out of sight. Carrillo boldly brings to the fore the struggles of indigenous women not simply as colonized subjects, but as strong and instrumental leaders of our collective liberation against capitalism and white supremacy.

The recent firing of a highly qualified, well-respected, and community supported Black woman by yet another cherished Indianapolis institution in early November is one reason why we need to create our own institutions and ecosystems, including in the realms of culture and art. Enter the Indianapolis Liberation Center’s Arte Mexicano en Indiana art gallery and our First Friday series: Unleashing the Creativity of the Masses.

The exhibition on December 1st will be accompanied by a panel with non-alcoholic drinks, wine, and beer available for donations. We will hear from Carrillo about both the works and the larger, real-life meanings behind them. We welcome all guests to participate in discussion, browse artworks and merchandise for sale, skim through our free library, or simply get to know someone new. The event is free to the public, but as we are an independent community space funded by donations and run exclusively by volunteers, contributions to help continue our struggle are always greatly appreciated. We know that you will be just as inspired by Carrillo’s work as we are, and we look forward to seeing you at our First Friday gallery reception.