Artists Autumn Mae and Chris Tobar have launched a collaborative exhibition titled 'The Neon Republic' at The Cathedral in Austin, Texas. The show features Mae’s resin and mirror-based works that deconstruct American iconography alongside Tobar’s 'The Neon Rodeo,' an immersive installation exploring Afro-Latino cowboy culture. A central feature of the exhibition is K-RDEO 88.8 FM, a pirate radio station broadcasting live from within the gallery space to provide a sonic layer to the visual narrative.
This exhibition is significant for its defiant stance against current political trends, including the defunding of arts programs and legislative shifts in education. Hosted by the Latina-owned gallery and home to the atxGALS collective, the show operates without corporate or grant funding, emphasizing the importance of independent, underrepresented voices in the contemporary art landscape. By reclaiming historical symbols and marginalized identities, the artists challenge viewers to confront their own roles within the American social system.