Arlene Dávila is Professor of Anthropology and American Studies at New York University and the author of several books, including El Mall: The Spatial and Class Politics of Shopping Malls in Latin America, Culture Works: Space, Value, and Mobility across the Neoliberal Americas, and Latino Spin: Public Image and the Whitewashing of Race.
An indispensable text that considers the plights of Latinx artists through the lens of race and class disparities in both North and South America. . . . Davila's text is a vital resource on Latinx art, complete with a supplemented 'non-comprehensive list of artists everyone should know' and recommendations of Latinx Instagram accounts to follow. -- Valentina Di Liscia * Hyperallergic * Kudos to Arlene Davila, founding director of the Latinx Project at New York University, and the only person who could have written this groundbreaking new book! First, identifying Latinx, perhaps most importantly, as a political constituency and as a market for art historical appreciation and consumption, Davila makes the case for a singular recognition and consideration of a massive (and rapidly growing) part of American culture. While highlighting intersectionality in her exploration of Latinx identity, she is an astute documentarian of shared experiences in the American landscape. Yet, this book is a must-have primer for those concerned with trends in international contemporary art. -- Franklin Sirmans, Director, Perez Art Museum Miami In this current moment of national rupture surrounding the Latino immigrant it is ironic that the new focus on Latinx artists and communities should come to the forefront as a powerful cultural movement. Arlene Davila's new work on Latinx art is a timely examination of the complex issues of cultural definition, art markets, race and representation, and geopolitical reference points. In the embattled world of diverse art and artists Davila's book provides a map of clarity. -- Amalia Mesa-Bains, MacArthur fellow and coauthor of * Homegrown: Engaged Cultural Criticism *