George O. Jackson de Llano
MI FASCINACIÓN POR EL COLOR Y LA LUZ
Mi fascinación por el color y la luz comenzó a una edad temprana debido a un abuelo creativo que escondía caramelos salvavidas variados para que yo los descubriera en los lugares más inesperados. Los veo en mi mente en la base de un tobogán en la jungla de accesorios del patio trasero que había preparado para su primer nieto...
Veo sus colores en el sol, rojos mágicos, amarillos, verdes, púrpuras, los mismos que se ven en muchas imágenes de mi proyecto actual, fotografiando composiciones abstractas de color y luz refractados dentro de formas translúcidas.
Este proyecto comenzó hace una década cuando, inspirada por su brillo, comencé a fotografiar una lámpara de araña de cristal inalámbrica que colgaba en una ventana al este de mi apartamento en un rascacielos y que bañaba mis mañanas con una luz y un color hermosos y surrealistas. En esta sección, encontrará mis experimentos que exploran el color y la luz a través de la abstracción refractiva. Comienzan con la lámpara de araña, continúan con el trabajo con una botella en forma de calavera y llegan a mis experiencias actuales con botellas de plástico para agua.
CRISTALES
Calaveras
2009 – 2012
The Calaveras photographs, based on a skull-shaped liquor bottle, draw upon a long tradition of death’s head imagery-from the ghoulish tzompantli (the racks of skulls and the carved stone walls built by the pre-Columbian peoples of Mesoamerica) to the comic sugar skulls popular in Mexico today during celebrations of the Day of the Dead. The photographs experiment with light and color and with ordinary materials and everyday objects.
The Essence of Mexico Collection
1990 – 2001:
The Essence of Mexico Project was conceived and conducted by Jackson from 1990 through 2001 and resulted in more than 75,000 color images of the traditional rites and ceremonies of more than 60 different indigenous cultural groups. Jackson donated the original images to the University of Texas in Austin, where they now reside in the Benson Collection of Latin American Art. The collection is shared with the San Antonio Museum of Art's Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art in San Antonio, Texas.
The Embrujo Mexicano Collection: Corazon Fusilado
1978–2003:
Most of the images in the Embrujo Mexicano Collection are from Mexico City from over a period of 25 years. The images for Corazon Fusilado (http://gojjr.us) were created out of the Embrujo Mexicano photographs by manually superimposing transparencies, allowing the subjects to bleed and burn. They are meant to reflect the superstitious in Mexican folk culture, with its pantheon of supernatural allies and demons.
CALAVERAS RESPLANDECINTES
Solo
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2012 Colores de México, by the Mexican artist George O. Jackson. Maison du Folklore et des Traditions, Brussels, Belgium. Sept. 15–Dec. 2, 2012.
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Tzompantli, Photographs by George O. Jackson de Llano. Cosas Gallery, Boerne, TX. Sept. 8–Nov. 4, 2012.
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Calaveras Resplandecientes: George O. Jackson. Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM. Jan. 20–April 1, 2012.
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2011 Couleurs rebelles du Mexique. Photographies de George O. Jackson. La Photogalerie de la Maison des Amériques Latines, Paris, France. Oct. 11, 2011–Jan. 19, 2012.
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Mexican Cycles: Imágenes de George O. Jackson de Llano. Museo Nacional de Antropología, Mexico City. Feb. 20–March 20, 2011.
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A Celebration of Mexican Independence: George O. Jackson Photography Exhibit. Imagination Celebration, Fort Worth Community Arts Center, Fort Worth, TX. Dec. 2–22, 2011. 2010
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El Arte de la Fiesta. Ritos del Norte de México. Fotografías por George O. Jackson. Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares, Mexico, DF. Octubre 2010.
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2008 El Cuerpo Adornado: Exploring the Aesthetic Spirit, Photographs by George O. Jackson, Jr. The San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, TX. March 15–May 25, 2008.
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2007 Mexican Cycles: Festival Images by George O. Jackson de Llano. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC. Sept. 26, 2007–April 20, 2008.
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2006 Encanto Mexicano: The Photography of George O. Jackson, Jr. Tyler Museum of Art, Tyler, TX. Sept. 15–Nov. 5, 2006.
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2000 Contact: Christians and Moors. Image and Ritual in Mexico. Photographs by George O. Jackson. Blue Star Art Space, San Antonio, TX; Salt Lake City Art Center, Salt Lake City, UT. Organized by Carla Stellweg, curated by Roberto Tejada, funded by the Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation and the Houston Artist Fund, with grants from Friends of the Essence of Mexico Project. April–June 2000.
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Carnival of Ancient Spring: The Huastecan Rites of Purification and Renewal. Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, TX, and FotoFest, 2000. Feb. 2–8, 2000.
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1999 Summer Festivals of Southwest Mexico. Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Illinois. August–October 1999. 1997 Encuentros Recientes. Mardi Gras Museum, Galveston, TX. February 1997.
1996 Cycles of the Sun – Festivals of the North. or Carnival of Ancient Spring: Huastecan Rites of Purification and Renewal. Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, TX. March–November 1996.
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1995 Summer Festivals of Southwest Mexico. Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, TX. Funded by the US/Mexico Fund for Culture, created and sponsored by the Fundacion Cultural Bancomer, Mexico’s National Fund for Culture and the Arts, and The Rockefeller Foundation. March–September 1995.
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Photographs from the Essence of Mexico Project. University of California, Davis, California. January–March 1995. Stim & Dross: Rethinking the Metropolis. An exhibit based on an article written and illustrated by Lars Lerup, with photographs by George O. Jackson. Rice University, Houston, TX. 1995. 1993 La Esencia de Mexico. Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares, Mexico, D.F. January–July 1993. Photographic exhibition and slide presentation at the Instituto Frances de America Latina (French Embassy), Mexico, D.F. as part of a tribute to the late Francois Reichenbach. June 1993. 1992 The Essence of Mexico. Instituto Cultural Mexicano, San Antonio, TX. May-August 1992.
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The Essence of Mexico. Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, TX. January-May 1992. 1986 Houston, The Sky and the City. Transco Tower, Houston Sesquicentennial Celebration.1986
Group Exhibitions
2011 Pecha Kucha Night Austin #11. Austin, TX. April 27, 2011. 2007 Photographs Celebrate Texas Nature: The Nature Conservancy of Texas. William Campbell Contemporary Art, Fort Worth, TX. May 12–June 23, 2007. 2000 Puertas de la Eternidad, Mexican Days of the Dead. Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Chicago, IL. November 2000. 1996 Embrujo Mexicano. Foto Septiembre 96 – Mexico’s Month of Photography, Museo de las Artes, Guadalajara, Jalisco. September 1996.
CALAVERAS RESPLANDECINTES
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2002 - The Goldsbury Foundation, San Antonio, TX.
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1998 - The Tate Foundation, Houston, TX.
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1998 - The Goldsbury Foundation, San Antonio, TX.
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1996 - The Tate Foundation, Houston, TX.
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1996 - Nuevo Energy, Houston, TX.
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1993 - US-Mexico Fund for Culture (Fundación Bancomer, the Rockefeller Foundation, Fondo Nacional para la Cultura y les Artes), Mexico, D.F.
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1992 - Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y les Artes, Mexico, D.F.
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1991 - Secretaria de Turismo, Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Mexico, D.F.
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1990 - Torch Energy Advisors, Houston, TX.
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1986 - “Best Magazine Picture Story” in the “Excellence in Journalism” category from the Houston Press Club for the exhibition, Houston, The Sky and the City, at the Transco Tower during Houston’s Sesquicentennial Celebration in 1986.
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1986 - Grand Prize Winner for the photograph “Texas Star,” selected by Jean Michel Jarre following his outdoor Rendez-Vous Houston concert celebrating the
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1986 Houston and Texas Sesquicentennial. The image was made into a poster commemorating the event.
CALAVERAS RESPLANDECINTES
Afro-Mexico: Dancing Between Myth and Reality. Anita González. Photographs by George O. Jackson, Jr. and Jose Manuel Pellicer. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2010.
"Afro-Mexico: Dancing between Myth and Reality" by Anita Gonzalez explores the often-overlooked influence of African heritage on Mexican dance and culture. Gonzalez examines how African movement and rhythms have shaped Mexican dance forms, how these dances portray Afro-Mexicans, and how dance serves as a tool for Afro-Mexicans to express their identity and resist erasure. Combining dance studies, anthropology, and history, the book provides a rich and nuanced look at a marginalized aspect of Mexican culture, challenging traditional narratives and giving voice to Afro-Mexicans.
Chocolate: Pathway to the Gods, Meredith Dreiss and Sharon Edgar Greenhill. With photographs by George O. Jackson. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 2008.
"Chocolate: Pathway to the Gods" is a visually stunning book that explores the 3,000-year history of chocolate in Mesoamerica. It delves into its origins, its use in rituals and ceremonies, its medicinal properties, and its enduring cultural significance. Through rich illustrations and engaging text, the book brings to life the fascinating story of how chocolate became known as the "food of the gods." It's a captivating read for anyone interested in history, culture, or simply the deliciousness of chocolate.
Words of the True Peoples/Palabras de los Seres Verdaderos: Anthology of Contemporary Mexican Indigenous-Language Writers/Antología de Escritores Actuales en Lenguas Indígenas de México. Photographs by George O. Jackson, Jr. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2004, 2005, and 2006. Mexique Vivant. Jean Mazel. Photography George O. Jackson. Le Pontet, France: Alain Barthélémy, 1999.
"Words of the True Peoples/Palabras de los Seres Verdaderos" is a powerful anthology showcasing contemporary writing from indigenous communities across Mexico. Featuring works in 13 different indigenous languages alongside Spanish and English translations, this collection gives voice to diverse perspectives often marginalized in mainstream narratives. Through poetry, prose, and oral narratives, these writers explore themes of identity, resistance, connection to the land, and social justice, offering a vital glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Mexico's indigenous peoples.
“Fiestas: Where Contemporary Mexican Tribes and Ancient Customs Meet,” by George O. Jackson Jr. Houston: Visions of the West: The Corporate Art Collections of Torch Energy Advisors Incorporated and Gulf Canada Resources Limited, 1999.
"Fiestas: Where Contemporary Mexican Tribes and Ancient Customs Meet" is an exhibition catalog featuring photographs by George O. Jackson Jr. that capture the vibrant intersection of modern indigenous communities and their age-old traditions during Mexican festivals. Published in 1999, it probably includes essays providing context and analysis of the images, along with information about the artist and the cultural significance of these celebrations.
Rituals of Rule, Rituals of Resistance: Public Celebrations and Popular Culture in Mexico. Edited by William H. Beezley, Cheryl E. Martin, and William E. French. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield, 1994. Fiesta Mexicanas. Marta Turok y Imelde de Leon. Fotografias por George O. Jackson de Llano. México, DF: Editorial Jilguero, 1992.
"Rituals of Rule, Rituals of Resistance" explores how public celebrations and popular culture in Mexico have historically been used both to reinforce power structures and to resist them. The book examines a wide range of festivals and cultural expressions, from the colonial era to the present day, showing how those in power and ordinary people have used these events to negotiate control, express dissent, and assert cultural identity.
Houston: A Self Portrait. Edited by Jerry Herring. Text by Douglas Milburn. Photographs by George O. Jackson, et al. Houston: Herring Press, 1986.
"Houston: A Self Portrait" is a photographic love letter to Houston, capturing the city's diverse essence in the mid-1980s. Through the lenses of 29 local photographers, the book showcases Houston's iconic skyline, bustling downtown, quiet neighborhoods, and natural beauty. It's a nostalgic and artistic tribute to the city, perfect for those interested in Houston's history, photography, or beautiful coffee table books.
CALAVERAS RESPLANDECINTES
Museum Collections:
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The Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, TX
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The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection, University of Texas at Austin
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The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art,
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San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, Texas
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The Tyler Museum of Art, Tyler, TX
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National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, Illinois
Corporate Collections:
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Gulf Canada Resources, Denver, Colorado
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Houston Savings Bank, Hempstead, TX
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IBC Bank, Houston, TX
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Nuevo Energy, Houston, TX
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Torch Energy Advisors, Inc., Houston, TX
CALAVERAS RESPLANDECINTES
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Abatemarco, Michael. “George O. Jackson: Calaveras Resplandecientes at Center for Contemporary Arts.” art ltd Magazine. March 2012.
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Owensby, Susan. “¡Vamonos a Mexico!” The Sound Kitchen. January 7, 2012. – View Now
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Ruy-Sánchez, Alberto. “Colores rebeldes de México.” sinembargo.mx. Octubre 20 de 2011.
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Ruy-Sánchez, Alberto. “Exposición de George O. Jackson en París.” Artes de México. Octubre de 2011.
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México celebra el Día Internacional de la Lengua Materna.” El Choro matutino. 21 de febrero de 2011.- View Now Rodríguez, Ana Mónica. “Pequeños de 12 estados, al rescate de la tradición oral, en el Museo de Antropología.” Periódico La Jornada. Domingo 20 de febrero de 2011, p. 5. – View Now
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Rivera, Niza. “Festejos por el Día Internacional de la Lengua Materna.” Proceso. 18 de febrero de 2011. – View Now
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Adair, Marita. “George O. Jackson Photo Exhibit In San Antonio: Legacy of George O. Jackson, Mexican Festivals A Feast for the Eyes.” Mexico Premiere. Feb. 25, 2008. – View Now
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“Tribute To Mr. George O. Jackson De Llano.” Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Tex, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Sept. 5, 2007.
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‘"Embrujo mexicano,’ an exhibit of photographs by George O. Jackson, Jr. opens at the Benson Collection on February 9,” Jan. 31, 2006.
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Johnson, Patricia. “Parklane Collection Looks to the Sky.” The Houston Chronicle, Jan. 3, 1987, Star Edition, Section Houston, p. 1. – View Now
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Links The Essence of Mexico Project – View Now
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George O. Jackson, Jr., Essence of Mexico Collection, Benson Latin American Collection, the University of Texas at Austin – View Now
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The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Latin American Art, San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, Texas.