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Upon entering the Brewer Harris Projects, visitors are greeted by ochre red, maguey green, indigo blue and turquoise colors on murals. These murals, depicting Indigenous heritage, hold a special place for Katherine Bahena-Benitez, a Mexican Indigenous actor, poet, dancer, stage manager and model.

“This is more than just a painting — it’s a reflection of resilience, identity and the power of our stories,” Bahena-Benitez said.

Brewer Harris Projects, a new art gallery in downtown Syracuse, is hosting “The Singing Wall,” an exhibit by artist and educator Manuel Hernández until March 29. Brewer Harris Projects is an initiative that aims to promote emerging artists like Hernández. Originally from Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Hernández explores the convergence of identity, memory and decolonization through his collection of murals.

Bahena-Benitez is depicted in one of Hernández’s murals. Seeing a past version of herself depicted in mural form brought a rush of emotions to her, as if this past version was suddenly brought to life, she said.

“This painting reminded me of the struggles I’ve gone through and how, with the support of my family, I’ve been able to heal and continue to engage with my community,” Bahena-Benitez said.

For Bahena-Benitez, the painting goes beyond personal identity — it’s part of a larger narrative about her heritage. The painting reflects the generations that came before and the ones that will come after, she said.

“It’s a way of saying, ‘Aquí estamos, y siempre estaremos aquí’ (We are here, and we will always be here),” Bahena-Benitez said.

The exhibition immerses viewers in Mexico’s rich cultural heritage, incorporating elements of everyday life in Iztapalapa and symbols of its pre-colonial roots. Through cacti, sculptures and colors that evoke sacred sites like Teotihuacán, Hernández blends the ancestral with the contemporary in his work.

Ella Chan | Asst. Photo Editor

Francely Flores was featured in a painting by Hernández. She felt the paintings reconnected her to the indigenous roots that have guided her throughout her life.

Hernández said his journey as an artist began in his childhood when he moved to Indiana at age three after his mother moved to seek better opportunities. At the age of nine, he returned to Mexico, where he learned more about his family’s roots and the town of Sultepequito, where he comes from.

Hernández’s grandmother was the first of her generation to leave the town, and passed down stories to him that have shaped his identity as an artist and as a person. These family narratives have been a constant source of inspiration for his work, leading him to explore themes of belonging and cultural resistance.

“What led me to be an artist was the need to create a bond between history and people, so that they can connect with their own roots,” Hernández said.

Hernández said his desire to connect audiences with their own personal stories through his art is in every piece he presents. He decides what to include in his pieces based on the story he wants to tell, but also takes into account how he wants viewers to connect to the work.

Francely Flores, who’s also featured in a painting by Hernández, shared similar feelings to Bahena-Benitez. As the eldest daughter in a migrant household, Flores felt the paintings reconnected her to the Indigenous roots that have guided her throughout her life.

“I felt that power in the murals at Brewer Harris Projects,” Flores said. “Each stroke spoke to me personally, drawing from a space deep inside me that I hadn’t fully realized was there.”

Hernández also addresses social and political themes in his work, focusing on how Indigenous voices have been marginalized. The exhibition is not only a space to appreciate art, but also a place for reflection on contemporary issues.

Hernández encourages young artists to explore their roots and find inspiration in their stories. He believes there is always a connection between the past and the present.

“I would tell you to dare to decolonize your own beliefs and put your story into art,” he said.

The exhibition is a unique opportunity for community members to immerse themselves in the cultural richness of Mexico and reflect on identity and community, Hernández said. He reminds viewers that their roots are an inexhaustible source of inspiration and that art can be a powerful tool for healing and transformation. Hernández hopes Syracuse audiences will experience a sense of connection and reflection as they walk through the exhibition.

“I want every person who sees my work to feel the story behind it, to take away a piece of my people and my identity,” Hernández said.

Published on March 3, 2025 at 10:37 pm