Bored of Necessity: 30 Years of Practicing

Michael Anthony García is closing out his exhibition Bored of Necessity: 30 Years of Practicing at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center on Saturday, October 3, with an artist talk, a performance, and a book release. The event runs from 2 PM to 4 PM, and the exhibition itself stays on display through that same day, so this is the final chance to see the work in person.

Bored of Necessity is the first major survey of García's career, pulling together thirty years of work. He's an interdisciplinary artist, and the show reflects that: it brings together sculpture, installation, performance, photography, video, and archival materials. The title points to the paradox he's worked around for three decades. For García, art started as a necessity—a way of surviving, defining himself, and asking questions. But over years of repetition and relentless making, that necessity eventually became something to challenge.

Across those thirty years, he's looked at identity, mortality, labor, queerness, Latinidad, memory, and the fragile relationship between the body and the objects it leaves behind. Clothing is one of his most recognizable materials, appearing as both sculpture and surrogate. He describes his practice as being guided by curiosity, humor, vulnerability, and risk.

The Saturday afternoon program lets you hear from him directly. He'll talk through the work, perform, and release a book that accompanies the show. Admission is free, and the center is at 600 River Street in downtown Austin.