Porque cantando se alegran… los corazones (Because by singing, hearts get happy)

—  “Cielito Lindo” (Lovely Sweet One)

“Mexican people, my people, are one of the most grateful and joyful I know. Growing up, however, I didn’t always relate to this. It wasn’t until I moved to Canada and found sobriety that I began to reclaim a number of aspects of Mexican culture, including its stubborn optimism.

Having a positive outlook on life seems counterintuitive when in Mexico things can be quite challenging for a lot of people and if they aren’t, just wait a second and your luck might run out! Faced with consistent hardship, focusing on the good that persists is not only a matter of survival, but also one of Mexico’s greatest strengths.

The work that makes up ‘Sing, Don’t Cry’ reflects this spirit of persistent joyfulness. By centering colour and geometric forms in all their boldness and purity, but in combinations that offer a more subtle aesthetic, I want to affirm an unapologetic, relentless optimism.

This is a mindset I share with Mexico’s unofficial anthem, “Cielito Lindo”, a powerful song that frequently unites the country in celebration (at the World Cup, for example) but also in times of real tragedy and mourning. In September 2017, when a catastrophic earthquake in Mexico City left hundreds dead, volunteers collected food and medical equipment while singing a profoundly moving rendition of “Cielito Lindo.”

The chorus of this spirit-lifting anthem-“Canta y no llores”- is where I take my show title. To sing rather than cry: this isn’t a toxic optimism; instead it’s a choice made from strength and a brave hopefulness, a reminder not to bury negative feelings, but rather to not spend so much time in the dark that we forget to see the light. This body of work is my way of singing with colour and shape, and an invitation for anyone who needs it, to get a dose of what I like to call dopamina mexicana.”

— Angie Quintanilla Coates

MEDIUM

acrylic, wood relief and collage

Exhibition Visit

Join us for an inspiring guided walkthrough of the exhibition with Miret Rodriguez, celebrating the resilience and transformative power of hope through art. Tickets are free, but there is limited space, so you are encouraged to register.

Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

ARTIST BIO

Angie Quintanilla (keen-tah-knee-yah) Coates is a visual artist born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. In her 20’s, Angie traded the heat and hustle of Mexico for the calmer and decidedly chillier climate of Canada. 20 years on, she finds herself in Port Moody, BC where she lives with her dog Meatball, and rescue husband Geoff. When she’s not in her studio, she can be found exploring the nearby ocean and mountain trails.

Angie didn’t discover her art practice until later in life. Growing up in Mexico, art seemed like a luxury, and certainly not a viable vocation. She took the ‘practical’ path, acquiring a BA in International Relations. Not until coming to Canada and finding sobriety did Angie return to art, realizing that creating had never been a luxury. It’s a necessity.

A deeply curious artist, Angie is inspired by everything, and her practice is always evolving. A constant thread in her work is her bold and enthusiastic use of colour. Angie’s palette is both a nod to her Mexican heritage, and a reflection of the joy and gratitude she feels in her practice. These are the feelings she most wants to ignite in the viewer.

Over the last few years, Angie’s work has caught the attention of global brands, leading to collaborations with companies like Dr. Martens, Lego, Warby Parker, The New York Times and M&M’s, along with organizations like Human Rights Campaign, and the United Nations.

Her path is as winding as the trails behind her home, constantly evolving and arguably unpractical…and she couldn’t imagine life any other way.