"Into the Meridian" Show Brings the New West Vanguard to Albuquerque
Historically, the 100th meridian has served as the threshold of the American West. This summer, a new generation of artists is completely redefining what that boundary signifies. In an era dominated by digital expansion, our world can often feel increasingly flattened. Yet, geography still holds a stubborn sway over the human spirit. We asked young contemporary artists creating in the West, "What does it mean to be genuinely rooted in a place today?"
Opening Friday, June 12th, Weems Gallery is proud to present Into the Meridian: Art from the New West. This juried exhibition celebrates contemporary artists shaping the region's modern vanguard, from Wyoming, Montana, Texas, Utah, New Mexico, and California. Culled from a competitive pool of emerging artists under 40, these artists have chosen to ground their creative practices west of the meridian, treating the landscape not as a passive backdrop, but as an active collaborator.
The exhibition weaves together diverse mediums that act as a direct dialogue with the region's shifting identity. In Montana, Russell Brausch redefines our relationship with wildfire through a brilliant manipulation of paint and literal burning. On the coast, San Francisco-based artist Jennifer Boyuan Han explores memory and migration by transforming family archives into fragile, layered sand surfaces.
Pictured, L to R: Art by Russell Brausch, Nicholas Ioan Lazaroae, and Jennifer Boyuan Han
Further inland, the narratives shift toward the culture of the land itself. Nicholas Ioan Lazaroae documents the intersection of climate change and traditional ranching through collaborative documentary photography in Utah. In Santa Fe, Ben Normand’s en plein air paintings capture the brilliant desert light, a creative pivot born after leaving a tech career in New York. That physical connection takes a literal turn with Pámela Vigo Sánchez of El Paso, an avid cowgirl who partners directly with her horse to apply abstract watercolor touches to her precise line art.
Selecting the final award for the exhibition is guest judge Roy Johnson. A legendary figure in the Southwest art scene and the former long-time owner of Downtown Albuquerque’s beloved Sumner & Dene gallery, Johnson brings over four decades of gallery experience and a deep commitment to elevating regional talent to this year's selection process.
The full roster of featured artists includes Russell Brausch, Jennifer Boyuan Han, Nicholas Ioan Lazaroae, Ben Normand, Pámela Vigo Sánchez, Chris Easley, Nolan Flynn, Rebecca Salazar, Samantha Ward, and Rosario Lucero.
Into the Meridian runs from June 12th through July 11th, 2026, kicking off with an opening reception on Friday, June 12th, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Weems Gallery in Albuquerque. Join us on opening night to meet the artists and experience the stunning, raw imagery of the New West vanguard.
For more information, contact weems@weemsgallery.com.