You might have spotted her around town, as Carolina Alvarez-Mathies has been on the go ever since she arrived from the Big Apple this fall to take over as deputy director for Dallas Contemporary. With a discerning eye for style and knack for innovative programming, this art darling has quickly eased into her exciting role and has fully embraced her new hometown.
We are thrilled to have you in Dallas! I know you are no stranger to Texas, but can you share what you’re most excited about being in this city?
This area has always felt like a second home to me, and as a TCU legacy from both sides of my family, I grew up hearing a lot about Dallas-Fort Worth. Having then lived here myself and witnessing my brothers and cousins attend TCU truly made me realize just how special a city we live in.
How has your career path transpired within the art world?
Working in a creative field was always in the cards. After university I moved to NYC, where I began a career in fashion communications. I quickly got involved with a few philanthropic causes like the junior board at El Museo del Barrio, where I later became director of communications. It was through that institution that my career in the art world began. Around the same time I joined the Board of Directors of Y.ES Contemporary, a foundation dedicated to supporting and developing contemporary art in El Salvador and beyond. Through Y.ES I met a board member at Creative Time, where I was associate director of communication and later director of external affairs. In short, my career path has been marked by a series of great mentors who continue to challenge me and have a deep belief in my vision.
Dallas Contemporary offers one-of-a-kind voyeuristic experiences.
Do you have any forthcoming activations that you are most looking forward to at Dallas Contemporary?
Yes! We plan to open an exhibition of all new works by Liu Xiaodong titled Borders. This will mark his first institutional exhibition in the U.S. of this scale and takes his research road trips along the U.S.-Mexican border as a point of departure. His work offers us a parallel landscape, one truly unknown to us. As a Salvadoran, immigration and migration are deeply close and personal topics to me. I am eager to engage in dialogue around a most complex issue.
You seem to have such an incredible sense of style. Do you find yourself passionate in the world of fashion as well?
I love Latin American fashion labels, and supporting my roots is very important to me. Some of my favorites right now are Leal Daccarett, a duo from Colombia who use color, volume and texture impeccably; Monica Sordo, a dear friend and jeweler from Venezuela who you can find at Forty Five Ten; and, also from Venezuela, No Pise La Grama.
Fracking Print from the Vivienne Westwood Gold Label autumn/winter 2014/15 Save the Rainforest For Your Loved Ones collection, hand-drawn by Vivienne Westwood
Photography by: from top, photos: by Caroline Lacey; courtesy of Dallas Contemporary; by Vivienne Westwood
