Ewert Art Gallery premieres “Indigenous” Solo Art Show Aileen Rodriguez Imperatrice

By Aileen Rodriguez Imperatrice

Our ancestors are among us

Within us

And connected to us

Artist Aileen Rodriguez Imperatrice will premiere the complete new series “Indigenous” in her solo show beginning February 2 through February 27, 2026, at Fresno Pacific University Warkentine Culture and Arts Center Ewert Art Gallery, 4840 E Butler Ave, Fresno, CA. Gallery hours: M-F 9 am-5 pm. Admission is free.

The Strength Within

 The origin of this art series stems from the encouragement of a curator/art dealer from Italy who had previously juried an earlier piece of my work into a Los Angeles gallery show in September/October 2023. She had been impressed by my piece “I am curves of Earth” which included a human figure with brown skin, fabric from my deceased aunt’s collection, thread, mixed media and surreal imagery. When we spoke, the curator recommended I make more work like this piece which reflects in part on recognition of my heritage, female perspective and also because it was sharing a personhood that is not seen enough in the art industry. So I decided to embrace this curator’s suggestion and set about creating a whole new series featuring my reconnection with some of my ancestral heritage, specifically Indigenous American which is the largest percentage of my DNA. “Indigenous” includes a continuation of the figures, fabrics, threads and mixed media to take a deeper dive into my awareness of my Indigenous identity and ways in which this stands in the human experience.

I chose to create the work in a style that is intentionally more primitive than I sometimes work, to reflect the basic re-immersion with my primal roots; working in the realm of a more direct way of communication. As a multi generation American born citizen, I’ve enjoyed relinking with my earliest Indigenous American roots.

Following a successful solo show at the Los Angeles Art Association Gallery 825 in September/October 2025, this is my first solo show back in Fresno since 2022 and the first time featuring this complete specific art series to the public.

You can read more about Aileen Rodriguez Imperatrice and view her art at www.aileenimperatrice.com – where you can also find links to her Facebook, Instagram and all other online pages.