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-Editorial
Imperial Valley artist Jesús Corral unveiled his latest solo exhibition, Lineapart, at San Diego State University’s Steppling Gallery in Calexico, located at 720 Heber Avenue. The exhibition, which runs through Oct. 23, features Corral’s most recent body of work, offering visitors a unique exploration of abstract lines and their expressive potential. Lineapart invites the community to engage with Corral’s evolving artistic vision in a space dedicated to contemporary art.
Corral’s delves into the expressive potential of lines, using mixed ink techniques to explore their versatility. His work contrasts bold, delicate, continuous, and fragmented lines, each conveying distinct emotions and ideas. The project examines the interplay between imaginary lines, symbolizing mental boundaries and connections, and real lines, tangible in the artwork.
Through this focus, Corral encourages viewers to reflect on how lines shape our perception of space, form, and relationships. Lineapart represents the culmination of Corral’s creative process, showcasing the evolution of his concepts and techniques developed during his residency at the Border Institute of Contemporary Art (BICA).
BICA is dedicated to fostering contemporary art expression, offering a platform for artists seeking immersive and transformative experiences.
“This initiative is to support other artists in Imperial Valley and create a project where the community help us pay local artist to give classes or workshops at our studios,” Corral added.
BICA is located across the street from the international pedestrian border between Calexico, California, and Mexicali, Baja California at the Arturo Selwick Landmark building.
One of BICA’s flagship initiatives is its Residency Program, which invites three artists each year to participate in a four-month residency in Calexico. The program provides the artists with the resources, time, and space needed to create and exhibit their work. This residency fosters artistic innovation and cultural exchange in a region where the blending of Mexican and American cultures often sparks unique and compelling artistic expressions.
In addition to its residency program, BICA hosts a wide array of exhibitions, events, and workshops that encourage the community to engage with contemporary art. These programs aim to make art more accessible to the public while providing education on contemporary practices. BICA’s membership program also invites supporters to become more involved by offering exclusive access to exhibition previews, behind-the-scenes tours, and other events.
Corral highlighted the importance of these programs in nurturing local talent and enriching the cultural landscape of the Imperial Valley. Donations to BICA help expand artistic opportunities in border cities like Calexico. Funds support a variety of initiatives including workshops in local schools, which promote art appreciation, artist residencies that attract talent from around the world, and infrastructure improvements to ensure that BICA’s facilities remain a welcoming space for artists and the community.
Corral’s involvement with BICA underscores his commitment to supporting emerging artists and ensuring that contemporary art continues to thrive in the border region as he is working on mural projects in Calexico and continue with the projects he is currently involved in. Through his own art and his advocacy work with BICA, Jesús Corral is helping to shape the future of contemporary art in the Imperial Valley and beyond.
