In Southwest Contemporary Vol. 11: The Hyperlocal, curator and guest juror Jaime Herrell explores how the artworks in this issue transform personal experiences into universal connections.
“We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.”
—Gwendolyn Brooks
From my perspective, The Hyperlocal is not merely about geography but the relationships we build with our environments, our kin, and the individual experiences that shape us. The hyperlocal is the artist’s intimate connection with place, community, memory, and sense of self. In the right hands, art has the potential to transform the local into something universally resonant—work that reflects how personal and collective histories can intertwine, informing and, sometimes, educating and transforming one another. Hyperlocality is where the abstract becomes tangible, how the stranger becomes our neighbor, how our differences communicate. It is in the hyperlocal that we see the real impacts of history, policy, and culture on daily life.
This volume’s artists are prime examples of how hyperlocal practices shed light on broader realities. These individuals and the works shared on these pages are the direct results of the communities into which they were born. Those outside these specific communities may miss the nuanced layers of cultural locality entirely. Acting as interpreters, story keepers, and narrators, the artists share their distinct journeys with us, from the inside. Reclaiming artistic narratives allows the sharing of truths and challenges the colonial misrepresentations of the past and present.
Growing up in South Phoenix, Shaunté Glover’s multidisciplinary practice delves into Black narratives, magnifying underrepresented voices and investigating identity through sculptures, installations, and moving images tied to her connection with basketball. Her work creates a space of belonging, both examining and honoring the cultural impact the game has had on her and her community. In the same vein, Antonio Lechuga’s practice bridges art and sociopolitical research by reclaiming and redefining 21st-century Tejano identity. Through materials and processes that honor his cultural heritage, he challenges prevailing political narratives while crafting new stories for himself and his community. Sammy Lee delivers a personal perspective on hyperlocality through the tangible and accessible medium of paper making. Inspired by her bicultural identity and nomadic experiences, her practice of recontextualizing familiar items examines concepts of fluctuating belonging and home in relatable cultural accounts. The work bridges temporal and spatial boundaries by layering tradition with innovation, underscoring how the local can speak to the universal.
At its core, the hyperlocal is about connection—how we genuinely relate to the spaces and land we inhabit, the people we encounter, and the histories we inherit. As you journey ahead, these ten individuals demonstrate that even the most deeply personal, location-specific techniques and observations can stimulate broader and more meaningful discussions around belonging, resilience, and identity. Through their practices, these artists inspire us to consider how deeply rooted connections with place can catalyze broader cultural dialogues.
The Hyperlocal is not just where we are—but who we are.
The ten artists featured in The Hyperlocal are:
Shaunté Glover
Joshua Graham
Cindee Klement
Jess Lanham
Antonio Lechuga
Sammy Lee
Gil Rocha
Max Sorenson
Edie Tsong
Urgent Care Art
