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An innovative exhibition at the Steppling Art Gallery, SDSU-IV, is turning heads with its focus on the critical issues of food, water, and energy conservation in the Imperial Valley. The exhibition, a culmination of the ‘Food, Water, and Energy Nexus in Imperial Valley’ campaign, showcases the work of local artists and cultural practitioners who have spent months raising awareness and engaging the community on these vital public health topics.
This collaborative effort, supported by university departments and community stakeholders, presents five major projects that reflect the unique perspectives of Imperial Valley artists Kimberly Alfaro Massey, Jesus Corral, Luis G. Hernandez, Nissim Ouzan, and Esteban Ojeda. Each artist contributed to the campaign in their distinctive way, creating art that not only addresses local challenges but also serves as a catalyst for social change.
Among the standout works is Conservation Through Creativity by Jesus Corral Garcia. In 2024, Corral led a series of hands-on workshops at The Den Creative Art Studio and El Centro’s Community Center, where participants created mosaic artworks emphasizing energy conservation, water usage, and healthy eating. These mosaics, featuring regional iconography like the Ocotillo wind turbines and the Colorado River, were assembled into a mobile mural that toured public sites across the valley. Corral, an artist and graphic designer known for using art as a tool for social transformation, continues to inspire with his dedication to enhancing public spaces and fostering community development through creativity.
“We worked with the SDSU Research Foundation to conduct the investigation and research to create these art pieces,” Corral said. “We discussed good eating habits and talked more about water conservation, its benefits, and renewable energy,” Corral said.
The exhibition also features Ephemeral Sustenance by Kimberly Alfaro Massey, a mixed-media installation that captures the grim reality of food insecurity. A grocery cart filled with empty food bank boxes serves as a metaphor for the transient nature of nourishment for many families. This installation challenges viewers to confront the harsh truths of food scarcity and urges them to reflect on their roles in addressing this pressing issue.
Fidel Hernandez, founder of the Baja Ghost Collective, brought a unique blend of culinary and artistic expression to the exhibition. His project, Prototype 1, is a multifunctional table designed to hold a pizza oven while displaying experimental videos. This piece, first used at a Food, Water, and Energy Nexus event in Calexico, shows Hernandez’s ability to merge practicality with art. His work, deeply influenced by his experiences on the US-Mexico border, sparks dialogue on global issues using various mediums, including drawing, painting, and video.
In the spring of 2024, SDSU-IV Art 157 students, under the guidance of artist and faculty member Luis G. Hernandez, engaged in the project “Exploring Food Insecurity through Zine-Making.” Hernandez said this initiative allowed students to research and express their perspectives on food justice in Imperial County, incorporating personal experiences and potential solutions. They learned about the history and purpose of zines, listened to guest speakers’ testimonies, visited the campus Food Pantry, and participated in a cooking session led by the Imperial County Public Health Department’s Cal Fresh Healthy Living program.
The resulting zines aim to raise awareness of food security, public health, and social justice issues in the region and have been distributed at various public events. The exhibition showcases these zines alongside posters, a billboard, and a scrolling LED sign highlighting selected research content, as well as providing information about SDSU-IV Food Pantry services and herb garden kits for visitors to promote healthy habits. Hernandez, a co-founder of the MexiCali Biennial and director of the Steppling Art Gallery at SDSU-IV, is also presenting his solo exhibition, “Fail to Comply,” at 21/Tres Ojos Gallery in Mexicali through October.
The exhibition will be open to the public by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between Aug. 29 and Sept. 26, and from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
