Eric J. Garcia, Fine Arts

Name:

Eric J. Garcia

Title:

Assistant Professor

Department:

Painting and Drawing

Describe your research in about 200 words.

As a tenth-generation Nuevomexicano and U.S. veteran, I have an intimate relationship with research on militarism in these lands. Investigating the multiple empires that conquered New Mexico and the residue that blankets these lands with war crimes, toxic testing and nuclear dumping grounds is personal. From these investigations, I create visual works using techniques and materials that are in dialogue with the work’s artistic concepts. This approach makes my work accessible to a wider range of communities. In practice, my editorial cartoons published in newspapers, printed posters handed out at demonstrations and collaborative murals painted with and for community are tools for teaching. Through my study of graphics, icons and symbology, I have created a shorthand visual language that is more universal than text. In my sequential art narratives and video game design, this shorthand helps break down complex ideas and also reaches people across language. The University of New Mexico will be an ideal environment for my research of visual communication to flourish.

What’s the most interesting thing you have learned from a student?

Young people can be masters of a skill far beyond what adults or mainstream society expects of them. Students can be professionals and technically experienced even in their youth. I have learned that openness, humility and exchange between teachers and students creates a learning environment full of possibilities.