“I love the marriage of art and history! The perfect combination for design, interpretation and creativity, a beautiful braid of endless possibilities.” – Julia Arriola
While we’re not physically connecting with many artists right now because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senior Curator Christine Brindza is catching up with some TMA collection artists for virtual conversations about their past work, current practice and works in progress. These chats are part of Cookies with a Curator – a series of conversations about art (and sweets).
This conversation with Julia Arriola is a great way to kick off Women’s History Month. Arriola’s installation piece titled We Need to Give a Damn: She Lived, She Inspired (2019) was featured in Arizona Biennial 2020, on view at TMA from October 1, 2020 through January 10, 2021. The work addresses the MMIWG movement (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls), bringing visibility to women and girls who too often remain invisible.
Arriola donated her work to the museum; it was accessioned in December and is now part of TMA’s permanent collection. In this conversation, Arriola talks with TMA’s Christine Brindza about her personal history, her artistic practice and the inspiration for TMA’s recent acquisition.
This conversation with Julia Arriola was recorded in February 2021.
Julia Arriola at the opening of Arizona Biennial 2020. We Need to Give a Damn: She Lived, She Inspired, 2020, Wood, ribbon, black twine, tacks, copper, brass, aluminum, quills, crow beads, feathers. Collection of the Tucson Museum of Art. Gift of the artist. 2020.46
About the Artist
Julia Arriola is a native Tucsonan, artist and retired museum curator from the Arizona Historical Society. She received her BFA and MFA in Sculpture and Metals as well as a Masters in Landscape Architecture at the University of Arizona. In addition to her passion for art, other areas of specialization are 1800s Tucson, costume, multiculturalism and historic landscapes.
