New York, NY, January 24, 2000--- El Museo del Barrio is proud to present "Latin American Still Life: Reflections of Time and Place," an unprecedented exhibition of more than 80 works that examines how 20th century Latin American artists use the still life genre to portray national movements, historical events, socio-political, and cultural trends. Featuring works by 44 artists from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, the exhibit explores the contrasts between the works of Latin American artists and their counterparts in Europe and North America. El Museo's partnership with Goya Foods has made possible the presentation of this important exhibition to the New York public.

Organized by the Katonah Museum of Art, the exhibit features paintings, sculptures, photographs, and mixed media installations by Caribbean and Latin American masters such as Francisco Oller, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamayo as well as contemporary artists like Claudio Bravo, Amalia Mesa-Bains, Fernando Botero and Liliana Porter currently living in the US. A complete is attached.

"Our approach has been to select some of the most significant historical figures from the first part of the century and then to concentrate on many of those contemporary artists who operate in a wide variety of media and whose art has propelled the meanings of still life beyond its traditional boundaries," explain curators Clayton C. Kirking and Edward J. Sullivan in the exhibition catalog. "During our 30th Anniversary year, we are proud to host this important and beautiful exhibition, which provides an extensive and unusual perspective on the Latin American still life genre by a distinguished group of Latin American artists," commented Susana Torruella Leval, Executive Director.

"El Museo del Barrio is most grateful to Goya Foods for the presenting sponsorship of this exhibit as well as for their longtime support." For more than 60 years, Goya Foods has been one of the most influential voices in raising awareness of the Latino culture. By sponsoring cultural events--such as the Taíno exhibit with El Museo del Barrio and a Picasso and a Goya exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art--that perpetuate the richness of the Hispanic culture, Goya hopes to not only support Latino artists but to also educate the community about their heritage. "Goya is excited to support El Museo del Barrio in one of the biggest and most influential exhibits of Latin American artists," said Joseph Unanue, CEO of Goya Foods.

The mission of El Museo del Barrio is to establish a forum that will preserve and project the cultural heritage of Puerto Ricans and all Latin Americans in the United States.

Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America's largest Hispanic-owned food company. Goya manufactures, packages and distributes more than 1,000 high-quality food products, including: canned and dry-packaged beans, rice and rice mixes; nectars; seasonings; and authentic Latin specialties. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; their combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation make them ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com.

Museum hours: Wed. through Sun. 11 to 5 p.m. Suggested contribution: $4 adults; $2 students and seniors; children under twelve accompanied by adults and members enter free.

El Museo del Barrio may be reached by subway: #6 to 103rd Street station; or by bus: M1, M3, M4 on Madison and Fifth Avenues to 104th Street; local cross-town service between Yorkville or East Harlem and the Upper West Side in Manhattan M96 and M106 or M2.