Christine Adame’s upbringing was nomadic; she moved often between cities in Texas, while also spending time in Nevada, Missouri and Japan.
But one place is truly home. “I’m a sixth-generation Texan,” said Adame, an intermedia artist and Assistant Professor of Graphic Design and Foundations at Texas Woman’s University.
Her heritage comes through clearly in her work, which takes many different forms: Fiber art, drawing, digital fabrication, printmaking and more.
“I tend to layer processes and different technologies together, and I’m really interested in moving between technologies of different eras,” Adame said. “But I almost always start with my concept, which is usually about my heritage, my mestiza identity and being a Texan.”
Take, for example, her 2023 project Homeland, wherein Adame echoed the six sovereign nations that have flown their flags over the state throughout its history by making her own six flags out of garments, drapery, tablecloths, and other fabrics.
“They’re kind of like portraits of my grandparents and ancestors,” Adame said, “but they also comment on different ways of being Texan and how their lives intersected with the culture.”
One of the flags is called The Rancher’s Flag, inspired by Adame’s grandfather, a school teacher who spent weekends on his own small cattle ranch. It’s made of cowhide, wool and the denim from a pair of Wrangler jeans, Adame said, and it led her to her current body of work, which focuses on the history of ranching and the future of ranchlands during what she called “the accelerated decline toward climate apocalypse.”
It’s a timely pursuit on a personal level, Adame said.
“In the last few years, my grandfather sold his ranch, so I’m kind of in a place where I really want to engage with that part of my history and make some artwork about it,” she said.
Her interest in ranching aligns nicely, with her residency at Pine Meadow Ranch Center for Arts and Agriculture, where Adame hopes to explore the theme of Adaptation by investigating how a working ranch practices sustainability, adapts to change and prepares for the future, regardless of what’s to come.
“This residency really is perfect for helping with my research,” she said, “and informing what exactly I’m going to make while I’m there.”
Christine Adame will lead a workshop, “Cut, Score & Etch: Intro to the Laser Cutter,” on Thursday, July 23 at The Ranch. Attendees will learn the basics of file preparation, material safety, and machine operation while exploring the creative possibilities of laser cutting and etching across a range of artistic mediums. Registration costs $25.
Adame will also participate in the Studio Tour alongside fellow residents Jessica Elena Aquino and Artemis Herber on Tuesday, July 28 from 5-6:30 p.m. at The Ranch.
