The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico is proud to present:
Visions of Mexican Art
A collection of 54 pieces of art from some of Mexico`s most recognized and celebrated artists is exhibited as part of the activities of the Mexican Pavilion of the Annual Conference of the International Association of Educators (NAFSA). The exhibition is kindly being hosted by the Chinese Cultural Centre in the On-Tak Cheung Exhibition Hall from May 10th to 31st, 2011.
The exhibition visitors will enjoy an impressive collection of sculptures, paintings and engraving representing five movements of artistic production in Mexico over the last 70 years. The works are part of the Finance Ministry’s Payment-in-Kind Collection and Heritage Archive and it is an excellent example of the high level Mexican Cultural Diplomacy.
Payment-in-Kind Collection
In 1957, a group of recognized artists including David Alfaro Siqueiros, Diego Rivera and Raúl Anguiano, proposed that artists in Mexico should be allowed to pay their taxes with their work. This unique idea gave rise to one of the world’s most important collection of contemporary art. The innovative program “Payment in Kind” came to effect in 1975 through a presidential decree. Since then it has accumulated a collection of 4,460 pieces in various media including painting, sculpture, engraving and most recently collage, photography and performance art.
Heritage Archive
In 1982, the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit (SHCP), introduced the Cultural Heritage Rescue and Restoration Program with the purpose of saving, registering, conserving and promoting objects, artifacts and pieces of art that were originally placed in different government institutions such as the National Palace and the Mint. The results of this program were the Heritage Archive which now boasts an impressive collection of more than 10,000 pieces including office equipment and furniture, coins and stamps as well as painting and sculptures.