Eric García is an artist from New Mexico who uses story and graphic style to create political art that confronts our understanding of the present. Using a variety of mediums, her work aims to inspire viewers to question sources of power and the whitewashing of history.

aim high is an ongoing series born in Roswell, New Mexico in which the artist explores science fiction concepts such as space, aliens and invasion through the historical prism of colonialism and expansionism . With two video game projections and a series of ink drawings, García draws connections between the westward expansion of the Americas, the exploration of outer space, and the occupation of other people’s spaces.

The title of the show, aim high, was a metaphorical and literal slogan the US Air Force used to inspire Airmen to always push themselves to new heights. As an Air Force veteran and Chicano, García’s personal experiences informed this series and the theme of the exhibit.

My heritage and experience in the military has had a huge influence on this job and my job in general. I am the vanquished and the conqueror. I am the colonized and the colonizer. I am a descendant of the indigenous lands north of the Rio Grande conquered and colonized by Spain and then by the United States. Like many generations of black and brown people have done before, I enlisted in the occupying army hoping for opportunities within the empire. After waking up from the “American Dream”, I am now using my privilege to deconstruct our country’s false narratives. By re-examining forgotten histories in an accessible and visually arresting way, my work can be a tool with which to share, learn and spark critical dialogue. Specifically, I make art to prevent historical amnesia and cultural erasure.

Eric Garcia

aim high is on view until July 16 at Ogden Contemporary Arts in Ogden, Utah.

For more information, visit ogdencontemporaryarts.org.