María Fragoso creates intimate narratives that gravitate between the real and the otherworldly. Charged with symbolism, the artist's paintings and drawings center on the portrayed subjects' instincts, fears and desires, as a way of exploring issues such as gender, sexuality, human relationships and national belonging. Based in Mexico City, Fragoso received her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art, and has exhibited works at 1969 Gallery, New York; The Hole, New York; and the Taubman Museum of Art, Roanoke; among others. Recently, she was highlighted in the Art and Style section of the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Augurio depicts a trio of goddess-like figures whose presence dominates the green body of water from which they appear. The two at the outer edges spout water from their mouths like fountains, giving life to the surrounding sea. Uncanny and performative, their action—which traces back to Fragoso's ongoing interest in Aztec culture, wherein rituals were performed to maintain the cycle of life—evokes fertility, love, and lust. In this limited edition series for AFC, the artist has hand embellished a select number of prints with watercolor, to further accentuate certain colors and textures.
Fragoso notes, "I find The Rainbow Umbrella Program's mission incredibly important—not only for creating a strong sense of community for LGBTQ youth and their allies, but also for creating a space where they can feel empowered and supported. As a queer artist that is part of this community, I hope that my work can make an active contribution."
María Fragoso
Augurio, 2021
22 x 24 inches
Archival pigment print
Limited Edition of 35 with 4 AP
Signed and numbered by the artist
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