BIDDINGTON'S CREATIVE PROCESS interviews photographer Mary Teresa Giancoli in her Sunnyside, Queens studio.
Mary Teresa GIANCOLI: I grew up in California where the Mexican presence is part of everyday life. In New York City, the community is growing, but it is not as strong as other Latino communities. Mexicans who have moved here struggle to keep their cultural attachments alive. I wanted to take positive images of the culture and its people.
Mary Teresa GIANCOLI: I set out to find the Mexican el barrio. I began at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church on West 14th Street in Manhattan. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the mother of all Mexicans who are Indian and Spanish. She is the symbol of identity and hope for all Mexicans who come to this country for a new life. I photographed during mass and religious processions.
MARY TERESA GIANCOLI Recent Solo Exhibitions:
2006
"The Dance", Greenport Public Library, Greenport, NY
2005
"The Creative Path", Flushing Town Hall (3-Person Show)
2004
Universidad Iberoamericana de Puebla
"Pan, Tortillas y la Familia" (Bread Tortillas and the Family from New York to Puebla), Queens Theatre in the Park, New York City
2002
"Ritual and Celebration", Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana Azcapotzalco, Mexico City
"La Guadalupana", Richard F. Brush Gallery, St.Lawrence University, Canton, NY
"Viva Mexico Viva New York", El Museo Francisco Oller y Diego Rivera, Buffalo, NY
2001
"Mexican Lives, Mexican Rituals", Southern Light Gallery, Amarillo, TX
MARY TERESA GIANCOLI Selected Group Exhibitions:
2008
"Nosotras Portraits of Latinas", The Museo Alameda, San Antonio, Texas; Branigan Cultural Center, Las Cruces, New Mexico; The Grace Museum, Abilene, Texas, Sheldon Art Galleries, St. Louis, MO
2006
"Queens International, The World in a Picture/The World in a Borough", Queens Museum, NY, Catalog.
"Propia Vision/Our Vision", organized by Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders at the Queens Museum, NYC and International Center, NYC
"Gender (F)", Westnorth Gallery, Baltimore, MD
"Recuerdos: Celebrating the Day of the Dead", Flushing Town Halll, Smithsonian Affiliate, Queens, NY
"Day of the Dead Auction", Rocking Horse Café, NYC
2005
"Small Works, Big Ideas", Women's Studio Center, Long Island City, NY
"Hispanic Heritage Exhibition", Elmhurst Hospital and Queens Council on the Arts, NY
2004
"Picante", Athens Institute of Contemporary Art, Athens, GA
"Generations '04", A.I.R. Gallery, NYC
"X Bienal Guadalupana International Graphics Exhibition", Museo Nacional de Las Culturas Populares; Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana Azcapotzalco; Casa de la Primera Imprenta de America, Mexico City; and Universidad Iberoamericana, Puebla, Mexico, Catalog
2003
"Dia de los Muertos", Reflections of the Soul, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Chicago, IL
2002
"Nosotras: Portraits of Latinas", Carlsbad Museum, NM, curator: Virginia Dodier
2001
IX Bienal Guadalupana, Casa de la Primera Imprenta de America, Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia, Mexico City, Jurors: Ricardo Anguia, Guadalupe, Fernandez Lopez (catalog)
"Pan Am II: Exorcising the Exotic", Hallwalls, Buffalo, NY Curator: Craig Centrie
"Question of Faith", University of Northern Iowa, Juror: Eleanor Heartney (catalog)
September 11th, Here is New York, 116 Prince St. NYC
2000
"Generations '02" A.I.R. Gallery, NYC
1999
El Museo del Barrio, New York City
Taller Boricua, Julia de Burgos Cultural Center, NYC
Fabbrica Europa, Florence, Italy
Mayya, Miami Beach, Florida
Marymount Manhattan College Gallery, NYC
1998
John Jay College Gallery, NYC
4th Street Photo Gallery, NYC (solo)
Siegred Gallery Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
1997
Hunter College Film Department, NYC
1996
Casa de las Americas, NYC
7th and 2nd Photo Gallery, NYC
1995
Prince Street Gallery, NYC
Phoenix Gallery, NYC
1994 and earlier
Art in General, NYC
Cross Country Traveling Exhibition, "Boxworks: Ancestors Known and Unknown"
Metropolis, NYC
Terme 29, Florence, Italy (solo)
Studio Pati, Arnesano, Italy
Mary Teresa Giancoli Recent Grants/Awards:
2001-2002 New York Foundation for the Arts Fiscal Sponsorship
2002 Daniele Agostino Foundation Award
MARY TERESA GIANCOLI Bibliography (Reviews/Published Photographs):
Buffalo News, Natalie Green Tessier, "Culture Exposed", Gusto, May 22, 2002
Richard Huntington, "Review of Pan Am II: Exorcising the Exotic", May 11, 2001
AHA! Association of Hispanic Arts News, reproductions, Winter 2001-2, Cover, page 6; Spring 2002, page 16; cover
and inside feature
DiverseCity, Center for Humanist Cultures, reproduction: "Couple in the Zocalo, Atlixco", April 2001; reproductions,
back cover, February 2001; "Father and Son", reproductions, back cover, December 2000
America Oggi, NJ:
"Il Messico a New York con Mary Teresa Giancoli , reproductions, essay, May 6, 2001
BIDDINGTON'S CREATIVE PROCESS Archives:
Sigmund Abeles Expressive Realist Painter
Javier Astorga Figurative Metal Sculpture
Nancy Azara Sculptor
Tova Beck-Friedman Sculptor & Mixed-Media Artist
Todd Bellanca Abstract Painter
Carol Bruns Bronze Figurative Sculptor
James Burnett Non-Objective Painter
Cynthia Capriata Peruvian Painter & Printmaker
Catalina Chervin Argentine Surrealist Artist
Diane Churchill Expressionist Painter
John Clem Clarke Pop Artist
Guillermo Cuello Contemporary Argentine Painter
Lisa Dinhofer Illusionist Painter
Michael Eastman Faux-Primitive Painter
Lynne Frehm New York Abstract Painter
Betsey Garand Minimalist Painter & Fine Art Printmaker
Mary Teresa Giancoli Personal Documentary Photographer
Debora Gilbert-Ryan New Image Painter
Janet Goldner African-Influenced Steel Sculpture
Harry Gordon Monumental Sculpture
Patricia Hansen Portrait and Still Life Painter
Richard Heinrich Welded Steel Sculpture
Charles Hewitt Painter & Monotype Printmaker
Diane Holland Intermedia Collage Artist
GH Hovagimyan Pop/Conceptual Artist
LA Hughes Pop Artist
Frances Jetter Bronze Sculptor & Editorial Illustrator
Scott Kahn Fantasy Painter
Susan Kaprov Digital Printmaker and Abstract Painter
Babette Katz Narrative Printmaker and Book Artist
Aurelio Macchi Argentine Master Sculptor
Richard Mock Abstract Painter & Linocut Printmaker
Bill Murphy Contemporary Realist Painter
Jim Napierala Abstract Painter
Frances Pellegrini New York City & Fashion Photographer
Eolo Pons Argentine Master Painter
Joseph Reeder Cross Media Artist Paintings & Ceramics
Laura Shechter Contemporary Realist Painter
Annemarie Slipper Figurative Ceramic Sculpture
Gary Slipper Fantasy Painter
Margaret Speer Landscape & Travel Paintings
Serena Tallarigo Marble Sculptor
Rein Triefeldt Kinetic Sculpture
Vivian Tsao Painter of Light
Nancy Van Deren Contemporary Painter
Joan Berg Victor Drawings from Nature
Edward Walsh Figurative Sculpture in Bronze, Marble & Steel
Kate Wattson Contemporary Colorist Painter
Betty Winkler Organic Minimalist Painter & Printmaker