New Faculty Member Q&A: Carlos Rosales-Silva

Assistant Professor of Painting and Drawing Carlos Rosales-Silva’s studio practice considers the vernacular culture in the American Southwest, the Western canon of art history and the political and cultural connections and disparities between them. Rosales-Silva’s work has been exhibited throughout Texas and in Mexico City, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Chicago and Kansas City. He has been an artist-in-residence at Abrons Art Center in New York, Residency Unlimited in New York (2020), Artpace in San Antonio, Texas (2018) and at Pioneer Works in New York (2017). He holds an M.F.A. from the School of Visual Arts and a B.F.A. in Studio Art from The University of Texas at Austin.

Tell us about the classes you’ll be teaching this year 

I am a big believer in teaching and learning tried and true technical approaches to painting. Having a strong technical foundation allows artists to find depth in these approaches or push beyond them to innovate new or experimental technical approaches. Just as important is having a critical research process to develop ideas and concepts for artworks. Making art is a complex practice with a multitude of histories to learn from. As educators we are tasked with providing technical instruction along the tools to develop a critical dialogue in the field of painting. At all levels of art instruction I have found that collaborative learning, being in a reciprocal exchange with students, is the most productive way of learning and teaching. Teaching in a studio art program, like the one in the Department of Art and Art History, is ideal for this approach with the size of our classes or our one-on-one work with graduate students. We can teach various approaches to making and thinking but in the end the student is tasked with developing a technical process and a concept or idea that will drive their practice through their time at the university and beyond.

 
What attracted you to the Department of Art and Art History and The University of Texas at Austin? 

I was very selective in my search for an academic position. I knew The University of Texas at Austin was a phenomenal research institution from first hand experience, having completed my BFA here. I enjoyed my time at UT Austin in the Department of Art and Art History immensely. The instruction and relationships I made here were invaluable in setting me on my professional path. Additionally, I wanted to teach in a university that was accessible to students from all backgrounds. The graduate program in the Department of Art and Art history is funded, providing wider access to the terminal degree in our field. I was born and raised in Texas and find it to be a culturally rich and complex place. After several years in the professional field of painting and art making I am excited to be coming back to the University of Texas to continue my research and work with students at all levels. 

How did your professional pathway lead to your current artistic focus? 

My professional pathway actually started at The University of Texas in my undergraduate studies. As a student I worked at the Briscoe Center and took classes and researched at the Benson Latin American Collection. This gave me a strong foundation in archival research that I carry with me to this day. I also was alerted to an internship opportunity at a local artist-run gallery by a professor, Dan Sutherland. This focus on research and community building has driven my practice for almost 20 years now. 

What’s something that students and colleagues should know about you?

I love all forms of visual art and phenomena, high and low and everything in between, I have a big collection of handmade visionary sculptures and tchotchkes from all over the world. I am very excited by objects that are made by hand, with care and love. I am very into practical special effects in films, hand painted signs, and any application of paint from industrial applications to fine art applications. When I encounter anything that is even mildly interesting to look at I will stop and take the time to investigate.  

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not teaching/researching/working? 

I enjoy visiting flea markets, farmers markets, cooking, running and hiking, watching films and listening to music. I recently became a huge fan of the writing of Rachel Cusk. During the covid quarantine I started making electronic music and have maintained that, strictly as a hobby.