Past is Present
History is not static. It is a living force, shaping and reshaping our present while being continuously reinterpreted through contemporary perspectives. Past is Present is Past is Present brings together a diverse group of Colorado artists who engage with history, ancestry, cultural and religious iconography, mythology, and traditional artistic practices. Their work reveals the fluid relationship between past and present—how history informs identity, how cultural memory is preserved and transformed, and how contemporary creativity reimagines inherited traditions.
In this exhibition, artists weave personal and collective histories into their practice, recontextualizing historical narratives to challenge, honor, or expand upon them. Some resurrect ancient techniques, employing time-honored methods with modern sensibilities, while others reference classical art forms and mythologies to critique or question their continued relevance. Still, others excavate personal and cultural ancestries, making the layered complexities of identity in a rapidly shifting world visible.
At its core, Past is Present is Past is Present is about the cyclical nature of time, the persistence of memory, and the enduring resonance of artistic traditions. By engaging with history in dynamic and unexpected ways, these artists illuminate how the past is never truly behind us but remains an active and evolving presence in our lives.