Maria A. Guzmán Capron, an artist working with hand-dyed and painted fabrics, is featured in the exhibition "Penumbra" at the Sarasota Art Museum, on view through September 27. The show explores identity and the space between shadow and light, with Capron creating multi-faceted textile characters that challenge traditional social hierarchies. In an interview with ArtsBeat, she discusses her Peruvian-Colombian heritage, her upbringing between cultures, and her shift from painting to fabric as her primary medium.
This exhibition matters because it highlights how contemporary textile art can address complex themes of cultural identity and belonging. Capron's work redefines shadow as a positive, protective force, offering a nuanced perspective that counters Western associations of darkness with negativity. The show also underscores the Sarasota Art Museum's commitment to showcasing diverse voices and expanding the dialogue around identity in visual art.