A recent article in the New York Times reported on how immigration art is often overlooked.  The work of foreign artists and those of foreign descent is often exhibited in the US.  However, immigrants’ artwork is harder to promote to museums and galleries.

Many in the art world feel that immigrant art makes a powerful statement and shows artistic merit.  Because of this, some galleries are hosting exhibits of immigration art.

Princeton University is hosting "Angels on the Border: Religious Paintings by Mexican Immigrants in the United States", which features 59 paintings on tin, known as retablos, a technique that was influential in Mexican fine art.

The Queens Museum of Art in New York has made an intensive effort to display immigrant work. The museum currently has two immigrant art shows: "Jeff Chien-Hsing Liao: Habitat 7" and "Open Routines: Recent Projects by Pedro Lasch."

In addition to galleries hosting immigrant artists, there are organizations and workshops that have been created to help immigrants develop their artistic skills while teaching them the business side of art, such as Empowered Women International in Virginia.  The group has shows with students’ work each month. 

Immigrant art supporters say exhibits with immigrant art are not necessarily political.  These exhibits are important because the artwork is a form of self-expression, just like the artwork created by past and present artists of acclaim.

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