The artworks by William Camargo address issues of gentrification, Chicanx/Latinx histories in a city, and the systemic erasure of Brown people through the use of counter-narratives that amplify and extirpate hegemonic structures in local city narratives. Using photography, installation, political public performances, community archiving, and his role as an arts-based educator, Camargo negotiates the legacies and disempowerment of Brown people in his hometown of Anaheim, California.

Camargo responds to found archives of the city through a historical art praxis that manifests as series-based artworks and strategies that address geographic place. Working with historically underrepresented narratives means dealing with the effects of systematic erasure, and implementing a critical pedagogical approach with room for further investigation of forgotten stories. By using hyperlocal histories, legacies, and contemporary news stories, He confront and challenges social constructs that are placed upon a city with historically racist policies and ideologies…

•••

Full Artist Statement • William Camargo • Artwork Checklist • Artist Biography

Artworks shown here are Camargo’s MFA Thesis exhibition, which would have taken place at CGU in 2020.