Guatemalan art collected at local gallery

The newest exhibit at the Scrap Exchange in downtown Durham features a series of photographs by a group of unexpected artists. Safe Passage Guatemala: Fotografia desde la zona 3 displays the works of eight teenage Guatemalan students, as well as a small selection of jewelry hand-made by a group of mothers. Although photographs taken by teenagers with no previous artistic experience may not sound appealing at first, the exhibit is a cultural and strikingly emotional experience.

The social context surrounding Safe Passage Guatemala adds to its charm. After Durham artists Bryant Holsenbeck, Julia Gartrell and Bonnie Wright taught an art workshop in Guatemala this past summer, the artists partnered with the non-profit organization Safe Passage to showcase and sell some of the students’ works. The proceeds from the photos will provide additional income for the Guatemalan families who live around and work at the city dump, Gartrell said.

The rawness and simplicity of the display allows viewers to move beyond solely critiquing the pieces and identify with the emotional aspect of the exhibit. Upon entering the Scrap Exchange, the exhibit is not clearly marked, and the viewer must walk through the maze of odds-and-ends for sale to finally reach the gallery hidden at the back of the building.

The small square room that houses the display consists of four walls of varying textures and a concrete floor—sparse conditions reflecting the living situations of many developing countries. The photographs by each student are strung along individual strings and hung on the walls, accompanied by large, framed biographies of the artists. The simplistic nature of the exhibit creates an atmosphere appropriate for viewing the works of the newly trained photographers.

The ambience invites the onlooker to connect with the individual artists by reading their touching biographies that explain the challenges they have overcome in life. The distinct personalities of each of the students become apparent through reading about the individuals and observing their unique style of photography.

Even though the photographs depict the mundanity of daily life, they have a definite Guatemalan flair. Taken from the lens of natives, the photos hold a feeling of authenticity and sentiment. After observing each individual string, the observer begins to identify with the artist not as a foreigner, but as someone simply using art as a mode of expression.

Though the teenage artists had just begun experimenting with the visual arts several months prior to creating these pieces, their works and stories are a source of inspiration. The Scrap Exchange merits a visit for memorable insight into bonafide Guatemalan culture.

Safe Passage Guatemala: Fotografia desde la zona 3 will be on display at the Scrap Exchange until Sept. 11. The gallery is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.