This is a virtual lecture that will take place on Zoom. The link will be sent with the confirmation email.

Even nowadays the pictorial historical portrait is still relevant. In an image loaded with tradition and mysticism, the narrative is not limited to telling how the person is alike, but rather creates a mythical character who transcends as legend. In this talk we will put on the table some considerations we must have on creating a portrait with these characteristics. Prepare to reflect on this quandary: Should the artist be responsible for creating the message or does that responsibility only lie with the messenger?

Carmen Chami was born in Mexico City and earned her degrees in Art Restoration (B.A and M.F.A) from the National University of Mexico (UNAM). Her body of work ranges from figurative narrative compositions to traditional portraits. Since 2000, Chami’s work has been exhibited at museums both nationally and internationally including National Mexican Art Museum, European Museum of Modern Art (MEAM), Gorman Museum of California, Mexican National History Museum, Queretaro’s Art Museum, Wausau Contemporary Art Museum, Guanajuato’s Town Art Museum and Cercle de la Garnison, Quebec. Her paintings are included in important collections such as The Mexican Presidency, Historic Marines Museum, National University of Mexico, The Bennett Collection of Women Realists, Milenio Group and the National Death Museum. In 2018 she was commissioned to paint the Mexican Presidential Portrait of Enrique Peña Nieto. Currently. Ms. Chami resides in Chicago, IL and is represented by Aldama Fine Art of Mexico.