Migrant experience to be subject of NAU art display

Migrant experience art on display

A new exhibit that highlights the experiences of migrants who have tried to cross the Mexico border will be on display on NAU’s campus from Jan. 29 through April 30.

“Culpable,” a site-specific installation, is based on local artist Shawn Skabelund’s experiences visiting Operation Streamline, the federal judicial system’s way of processing undocumented migrants who have been charged with entering the United States illegally.

The portraits in the installation represent many of the migrants who he met when he worked with the Kino Border Initiative in Nogales.

An opening reception for the public is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 29, on the third floor of Riles, building 15. The event will begin with a lecture by the artist titled “Historical & Contemporary Views of Manifest Destiny” at 3:45 p.m. in room 309 followed by a reception from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

The exhibit, commissioned by the Martin-Springer Institute, will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.