May

Latinx curator honored for groundbreaking work

Woman with long dark curly hair, wearing striped dress

Taína B. Caragol

Taína B. Caragol, curator of painting and sculpture and Latinx art and history at the National Portrait Gallery, was recognized for excellence in exhibitions by the Association of Art Museum Curators at a special reception May 5. The 20 winners of the annual peer-juried awards were awarded for groundbreaking projects on race, sexuality, censorship, and the environment, among other topics.

Taína was honored for her work as curator of UnSeen: Our Past in a New Light, Ken Gonzales-Day and Titus Kaphar, on view at NPG from May 31, 2018 to Jan.6. The exhibition highlighted the work of two leading contemporary artists who grapple with the under- and misrepresentation of certain minorities in portraiture and American history. Gonzales-Day and Kaphar illuminate the contributions and sacrifices people of color made during the country’s founding.

Entrance to exhibition gallery with banner announcing title

Installation view of “UnSeen: Our Past in a New Light, Ken Gonzales-Day and Titus Kaphar,”
March 23, 2018 – January 6, 2019. Photo by Mark Gulezian/National Portrait Gallery

“For 15 years, curators have recognized the trailblazing achievements of their peers through our annual Awards for Excellence,” said Judith Pineiro, executive director of the AAMC and AAMC Foundation. “It is a privilege to celebrate this year’s awardees who, through their work, have fostered dynamic dialogue and broader engagement in the arts.”

Gallery view of exhibition with with dual portraits as focal point

Installation view of “UnSeen: Our Past in a New Light, Ken Gonzales-Day and Titus Kaphar,”
March 23, 2018 – January 6, 2019. Photo by Mark Gulezian/National Portrait Gallery
UnSeen: Our Past in a New Light, Ken Gonzales-Day and Titus Kaphar
March 23, 2018 – January 6, 2019