Cultural Affairs Office

Press and Communications

September 13, 2023 -- In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) announces its fifth exhibition in the Expressions! series with “Escala,” an exhibition of works by Salvadoran American artist, Darwin Arévalo.

Curated by Victor Ancheta, the exhibition located in the City Hall Rotunda features 12 of Arévalo’s works in various mediums and scales, from intimate studies in assemblages to expressive and visceral monumental paintings.

Escala is on view from September 1st to October 16th, 2023.

“I am beyond impressed with the works included in this exhibition,” says The Mayor. “The artworks are truly expressive and command attention. I am proud of MOCA’s continued support of local artists and providing them the space to express themselves. Artists showing their expressions with everyone that enters City Hall is aligned with Houston being an Art City."

Darwin Arévalo poses next to his work in his East End studio

Arévalo’s artwork is imbued with power and references the history of his origin, El Salvador. The selected pieces display frenetic energy and lyrical poetry that speak to the artist’s lived experiences.

This year, MOCA is showcasing the subject of Expression with a series of exhibitions that tackle how it is explored and expressed in this diverse city. With Escala, MOCA aims to display a reflection of the diverse Latino experience in this City.

The expressive qualities of Arévalo’s work and their referential elements invite the viewer to ponder Escala, the sequence of things and time, and make the exhibition fitting for Hispanic Heritage Month and MOCA’s Expressions! Series.

Fish Study by Darwin Arévalo

About Darwin Arévalo
Darwin Arévalo immigrated from El Salvador to Houston and received his BFA in painting from the Kansas City Art Institute. Arevalo’s artwork explores the process driven by art-making practice as he works with an array of found and repurposed material collected from the East End neighborhood where the artist maintains his studio.

About The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs
The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs guides the City’s cultural investments with policies and initiatives that expand access to arts and cultural programs in the community, attract visitors, and leverage private investment. Learn more at www.houstontx.gov/culturalaffairs and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @HoustonMOCA.