Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory

February 4–August 13, 2023

Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory is the first retrospective exhibition of the work of longtime Bay Area artist Mesa-Bains. Presenting work from the entirety of her career for the first time, this exhibition, which features nearly 60 works in a range of media, including fourteen major installations, celebrates Mesa-Bains’s important contributions to the field of contemporary art locally and globally.

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  • Amalia Mesa-Bains: Cihuateotl with Mirror in Private Landscapes and Public Territories, 1998-2011. Mixed media installation including painted and mirrored armoire, found objects, moss, dried flowers, faux topiaries, family photographs, miniature jeweled trees, painted wooden hedges; 10’ x 20’ x 25’; photo by Michael Karibian.

  • Amalia Mesa-Bains: Circle of Ancestors, 1995. Seven hand-painted chairs with mirrors and jewels, candles, 14’ diameter.

  • Detail of Amalia Mesa-Bains: Queen of the Waters, Mother of the Land of the Dead: Homenaje a Tonatzin/Guadalupe, 1992. Mixed media installation including fabric drape, six jeweled clocks, mirror pedestals with grottos, nicho box, found objects, dried flowers, dried pomegranate, potpourri. 18’ x 6’.

  • Amalia Mesa-Bains: Private Landscapes and Public Territories, 1998-2011. Mixed media installation including painted and mirrored armoire, found objects, moss, dried flowers, faux topiaries, family photographs, miniature jeweled trees, painted wooden hedges; 10’ x 20’ x 25’; photo by Michael Karibian.

  • Amalia Mesa-Bains: Amazona Azteca in Venus Envy Chapter III: Cihuatlampa, The Place of the Giant Women, 1997; giclee print.

  • Detail of Amalia Mesa-Bains: Transparent Migrations, 2001; mixed media installation; 10’ x 18’ x 6’

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Past Events

  • Saturday, July 8, 11:30 AM

    Gallery+Studio: Thinking GIANT

    Explore Cihuatlampa, the Place of the Giant Women, by Amalia Mesa-Bains, and envision a special garment for someone you consider a heroine.

    For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)

  • Saturday, June 10, 11:30 AM

    Gallery+Studio: A Book of Us

    Inspired by Amalia Mesa-Bains’s handmade books, tell the story of your own personal and family memories.

    For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)

  • Saturday, May 13, 11:30 AM

    Gallery+Studio: Cabinet of Memories

    After learning about assemblage in Amalia Mesa-Bains’s art, decorate a found picture frame with objects that enhance your feelings about a family photo.

    For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)

  • Saturday, April 29, 1:30 PM

    American Sign Language Guided Tour of Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory

    Patricia Lessard offers American Sign Language interpretation for a graduate student–led tour of the exhibition. All visitors are welcome.

  • Sunday, March 19, 1 PM

    Artist's Talk: Amalia Mesa-Bains

    Join us for an engaging, illustrated talk by Amalia Mesa-Bains as she illuminates the sources and stories behind her wide-ranging multimedia practice.

  • Saturday, February 18, 1 PM

    In Conversation with Amalia Mesa-Bains

    Amalia Mesa-Bains’s artworks, spanning a range of formats and media, resonate in contemporary formal terms and in their ties to her Chicana/o community and history. Scholars Jennifer González and Adriana Zavala and artist Sandy Rodriguez join Mesa-Bains for an expanded conversation in response to these themes and other ideas in her work.

  • Saturday, February 11, 11:30 AM

    Gallery + Studio: Stories to Tell

    Inspired by Amalia Mesa-Bains’s altars, re-create a family story or memory in a miniature altar of your own.

    For ages 6–12 with accompanying adult(s)

  • Selected Wednesday, Sundays, and First Free Thursdays

    Guided Tours: Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory

    Tours of Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory are led by UC Berkeley graduate students in history of art, Chicanx/Latinx studies, and theater, dance, and performance studies.

  • Saturday, February 4, 11 AM–7 PM

    Free Gallery Admission: Amalia Mesa-Bains Opening Day

    Celebrate the opening of Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory with free admission to the public.

  • Saturday, February 4, 11:30 AM–2 PM

    Art Making for Families / Creación artística para familias

    Make art inspired by Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory with local artist Rebeca Flores. / Haz arte inspirado en la exposición, Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory, con la artista Rebeca Flores.

  • Saturday, February 4, 2 PM

    Free Film Screening: Amalia Mesa-Bains: In Her Own Worlds

    Amalia Mesa-Bains’s work is deeply concerned with memory and with how art serves as a portal into the cultural histories of Indigenous, Mexican, African diasporic, and multiply gendered communities. In this new film directed by Raymond Telles, the artist reflects on how culture, history, and family memories have informed her art.

  • Saturday, February 4, 3 PM

    Curators’ Talk: María Esther Fernández and Laura Pérez on Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory

    Join cocurators María Esther Fernández and Laura Pérez—who organized this major retrospective exhibition of the work of renowned artist, scholar, and curator Amalia Mesa-Bains—for an insightful talk about the artist’s work in BAMPFA’s galleries.

  • February 2 & 3, 11 AM–7 PM

    Preview Days: Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory

    BAMPFA members enjoy exclusive preview access to Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory Thursday and Friday, February 2 and 3.

    For BAMPFA members and UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff

Past Films