Ian Juarez EDINBURG – In late August, Rigoberto Gonzalez, a UTRGV School of Art and Design faculty member, had his art reposted by an official government-run X account @RapidResponse47.
His painting, titled The Flight into Egypt Immigrants Crossing the Border into South Texas, was shared by the account and used as an example of what President Trump means when he said the Smithsonian, the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, is “OUT OF CONTROL.”
“The painting […] depicts a group of immigrants crossing the border, which is a reality,” Gonzalez said. “It wasn’t necessarily my intention to make controversial art but to make something that represents the world that we live in.” Born in 1973 in Reynosa Tamaulipas, Mexico, Gonzalez makes pieces related to his culture, immigration and cartel activity.
Gonzalez’s art has been shown around the world at the Konsthallen Bohuslan Museum in Uddevalla, Sweden, The Museum of Contemporary Art Branch of the National Museum in Wrocław, Poland, The Guildhall Art Gallery in London, England, and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.Gonzalez said he tries to create artwork that is, “relevant not only to the art world, but to the world we live in.”
When questioned about the comments made by @RapidResponse47 Gonzalez stated, “Well, I think they understand art can be a powerful tool for political ideas or political propaganda. […] But I’m sure the administration will continue to put pressure, I don’t know through funding or other ways. So, they can, you know, dictate the type of art exhibitions that are displayed. […] I think any type of censorship is a bad idea.”
The “OUT OF CONTROL,” comes from a Truth Social Post from Aug. 29 in which President Trump went after the Smithsonian for, “discussing how horrible our Country is, how bad Slavery was, and how unaccomplished the downtrodden have been— nothing about Success, nothing about Brightness, nothing about the Future.”
Francisco Guajardo, Chief Executive Officer at the Museum of South Texas History, shared his thoughts on the administration’s actions and the effects they might have on the art industry.
“The administration is I think, aware that its commentary can draw attention that can be both bad and good,” Guajardo said. “Now the bad would be if people don’t represent our art because they’re afraid that their funding may be cut. I mean that’s the reality in the museum world. And so, some people may be fearful in that way.”
While not technically legal for the Government to directly control what can or cannot be shown at museums, the Smithsonian’s website states it receives 62% of its funding federally, which could be a huge hit to the institution if cut.
On Monday, Sept. 8 the White House held a press conference where President Trump provided an update on the content displayed by the Smithsonian:
“I had a little problem with the Smithsonian. We’d like a little more positivity. It was all about all the bad things in our country. I said, ‘What about the good things we’ve done?’ So, I got a little involved. I got a little involved with that. […] Honestly, they’re making changes. […] Big changes are being made to the Smithsonian.”
