ARTICLES
THE ART OF TRAVEL
A country where a vicious drug war has killed an estimated 90,00 people over the past decade, where many districts - including the once glittering resort of Acapulco - are effectively off limits to foreign tourists, and with a capital city where even hailing a taxi can be risky - Mexico might not be everyone's idea of the best place for appreciating art and architecture.
But Mexico is a complex and multi-layered nation, and the prosperous central region - just a few hours drive north west of Mexico City, is not only relatively safe, but also the location of the two UNESCO World Heritage cities of San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato.
Kerri Ainsworth recently led a small group of aspiring art students to the two cities.
Posted 06.06.17
Why be a tourist when you can embark on a completely different type of adventure, immersing yourself in the life and culture of some foreign land? Hamish Robertson, decided to do exactly that when he signed up to learn the art of drypoint printmaking with Mexican artist, Hugo Anaya in the beautiful historic town of Guanajuato in central Mexico.
One of the many road tunnels that burrow under the former gold and silver mining town of Guanajuato, located in a narrow valley more than 6,000 feet above sea level.
What makes this an interesting story is that Hamish had never before flexed his artistic muscle. Because of his love of architecture and role as editor of the Sydney Forum for Architecture & Urban Design, Hamish began his artistic adventure by creating a photographic essay of the colourful, sunwashed doorways and whimsical door knobs of San Miguel de Allende, one of the oldest towns in Mexico.
"In a fantastically intriguing atmospheric setting, unlike anything I've experienced before, we immersed ourselves in the life and culture of two beautiful colonial Mexican towns, San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato |
Artist and art teacher Hugo Anaya in his studio in Guanajuato
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Glennis Murphy operates a monotype printer
The highlight for me was staying in a gorgeous 17th century colonial mansion in Guanajuato from which each day we wandered through the colourful streets to a large art studio set in a cool, leafy, walled garden. As I've never had any artistic experience, it was a real revelation to discover that within a few days, under the tutelage of our teacher, Hugo Anaya, a very warm, talented and experienced artist, I produced a series of dry-point prints of which I feel very proud.”
For more information about art and culture tours visit http://arttraveladventures.com.au/ or contact Kerri (info@arttraveladventures.com.au)
For more information about art and culture tours visit http://arttraveladventures.com.au/ or contact Kerri (info@arttraveladventures.com.au)
Café in San Miguel de Allende
Liane Ringham in the 17th century Spanish colonial mansion in Guanajuato, with Moorish-influenced central courtyard, now roofed over.
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A cantina in Guanajuato - echoes of "Under the Volcano".....
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