Hosfelt Gallery
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Artists
  • Exhibitions
  • About
  • Fairs
  • Events
  • Press
  • News
  • Climate Action
Wishlist
0

Favorites

This artwork has been saved in your favorites list. You can either review your list and make an inquiry, or continue to browse and find other artworks.
View favorites
Continue browsing
Menu
Lordy Rodriguez
Polar Democracy, 17 October - 25 November 2020
  • Current
  • Upcoming
  • Archive

Lordy Rodriguez: Polar Democracy

Archive exhibition
  • Overview
  • Works
  • Installation Views
  • Press
  • Events
  • News
Overview
Lordy Rodriguez, Polar Democracy

Twenty-four years ago, Lordy Rodriguez (b. 1976, Quezon City, Philippines) started using a visual lexicon of map-based forms as metaphors for defining an individual's position within a culture or society. For his sixth solo exhibition at Hosfelt Gallery, Rodriguez utilizes this ever-developing, cartography-inspired vocabulary to ruminate on issues about the immutable appeal of democracy and its very precarious existence.

 

Like many of us, Rodriguez is a news junky- fixated on unfolding stories of unequal access to resources; the violent quelling of peaceful demonstrations in Hong Kong, Minsk and Washington D.C.; and governments that murder journalists, poison political rivals or enact laws to disenfranchise their citizenry.  The work in this exhibition - two new bodies of large-scale drawings - focuses on the bravery inherent in demanding a place at the table.

 

The first series memorializes historic and contemporary efforts at peaceful demonstration. These include the 1930 Salt March, led by Mohandas Gandhi challenging British rule over India; the Langa March of 1960, in which between 30,000 and 50,000 demonstrators marched in opposition to apartheid; the 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery; and current pro-democracy protests against Chinese oppression in Hong Kong. In Rodriguez's cartographic lexicon, these routes are "code-switched" in candy-colored references to race and oppression.

 

The second group of drawings represents efforts by those in power to manipulate the boundaries of voting districts in order to favor a political party or racial group, thereby diminishing the voting power and political voice of others.  While researching these gerrymandered districts, his very personal "ah-ha moment" came when he realized many of them were districts in which members of his large and far-flung, Filipino-American family live - states like Texas and Florida with large immigrant populations.The pieces in this series represent some of the most egregious examples of voter suppression as well as districts in which activists and courts have compelled boundaries to be re-drawn in ways that are more equitable.

 

Born in the Philippines, Lordy Rodriguez was raised in Texas and Louisiana. He received a BFA from the School of Visual Arts in New York and an MFA from Stanford University.

Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Works
  • A grid of multi-colored squares surround a curved line of yellow dots that represent the mapped route of the protest march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama
    Lordy Rodriguez
    Selma to Montgomery, 2020
    ink on paper
    26 x 52 in
    66 x 132.1 cm
  • Colorful circles connected by a rainbow of lines sit on top of a background of multi-colored squares to represent the mapped route of Gandhi’s 1930 Salt March The white negative space which echos the geographic shape of the Gulf of Khambha starts in the lower left corner and then stretches across the paper
    Lordy Rodriguez
    Salt March, 2020
    ink on paper
    78 x 34 in
    198.1 x 86.4 cm
  • Light and dark multi-colored squares surround a thick dark gray line that represents a Hong Kong protest route A thinner gray line above mirrors the geographical border between mainland China and Hong Kong
    Lordy Rodriguez
    Hong Kong Protests, 2020
    ink on paper
    36 x 64 in
    91.4 x 162.6 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ELordy%20Rodriguez%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EHong%20Kong%20Protests%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2020%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E36%20x%2064%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A91.4%20x%20162.6%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Colorful ink squares are arranged to form a horizontal rainbow pattern that are cut by various intersecting yellow lines which mimic roads and streets At the bottom left corner the squares alternate between a light and dark green while at the top left there are three white geometrical spaces
    Lordy Rodriguez
    Langa March, 2020
    ink on paper
    34 x 60 in
    86.4 x 152.4 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ELordy%20Rodriguez%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ELanga%20March%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2020%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E34%20x%2060%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A86.4%20x%20152.4%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Various gray-scale squares surround the geographic silhouette of Texas’s thirty third voting district which is highlighted by a bright green border and filled with smaller earth toned squares Thin bright orange trails cut through these squares and thicken as they enter the gray area
    Lordy Rodriguez
    Texas 33rd, 2020
    ink on paper
    35 x 60 in
    88.9 x 152.4 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ELordy%20Rodriguez%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ETexas%2033rd%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2020%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E35%20x%2060%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A88.9%20x%20152.4%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Large light blue squares surround the dark green geographic silhouette of Florida’s fifth voting district Thin yellow lines cut through the green while thin orange trails enter and exit the defined area
    Lordy Rodriguez
    Florida's 5th (Older), 2019
    ink on paper
    40 x 20 in
    101.6 x 50.8 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ELordy%20Rodriguez%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EFlorida%27s%205th%20%28Older%29%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2019%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E40%20x%2020%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A101.6%20x%2050.8%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Three panels placed side by side contain multi-colored squares that surround the silver geographic silhouette of Texas’s second voting district
    Lordy Rodriguez
    Texas's 2nd, 2020
    ink on paper
    triptych, overall 22 x 66 inches/55.9 x 167.6 cm
    each panel 22 x 22 inches/55.9 x 55.9 cm
  • Blacked out squares surround the geographic area of Maryland’s third voting district Thin yellow lines define the shape of the district while thin orange trails flow through them
    Lordy Rodriguez
    Maryland's 3rd District, 2019
    ink on paper
    24 x 24 in
    61 x 61 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ELordy%20Rodriguez%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EMaryland%27s%203rd%20District%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2019%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E24%20x%2024%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A61%20x%2061%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Multi-colored squares take up the majority of the paper while a thin black line cuts through to echo the border of Illinois’s fourth voting district
    Lordy Rodriguez
    Illinois 4th, 2020
    ink on paper
    24 x 34 in
    61 x 86.4 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ELordy%20Rodriguez%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EIllinois%204th%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2020%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E24%20x%2034%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A61%20x%2086.4%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Multi-colored squares which fade from right to left surround black silhouettes of the multiple versions of North Carolina’s twelfth district The silhouettes are highlighted with a thin white border
    Lordy Rodriguez
    Evolution of NC 12th, 2020
    ink on paper
    18 x 60 in
    45.7 x 152.4 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ELordy%20Rodriguez%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EEvolution%20of%20NC%2012th%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2020%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E18%20x%2060%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A45.7%20x%20152.4%20cm%3C/div%3E
  • Multi-colored squares zig-zag across the paper to surround the white negative geographic shape of Texas’s thirty fifth voting district The wider border of the paper consists of lighter faded squares that are connected by a thin black trail
    Lordy Rodriguez
    Texas 35th, 2020
    ink on paper
    44 x 26 in
    111.8 x 66 cm
    Inquire
    %3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3ELordy%20Rodriguez%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3ETexas%2035th%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22comma%22%3E%2C%20%3C/span%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2020%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3Eink%20on%20paper%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3E44%20x%2026%20in%3Cbr/%3E%0A111.8%20x%2066%20cm%3C/div%3E
Installation Views
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Image 40
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Image 41
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Image 42
Open a larger version of the following image in a popup: Image 43
Press
  • Lordy Rodriguez, "Illinois 4th," 2020

    In Conversation: Carter Foster & Lordy Rodriguez

    Hosfelt Gallery YouTube, November 19, 2020
Events
  • A square map depicting Texas's 2nd congressional district. The land is white and the surrounding areas are multi-colored tiles.

    When Redistricting Becomes Gerrymandering: Can Districts Be Drawn Equitably?

    29 Oct 2020
  • Carter foster wearing suit and Lordy Rodriguez wearing white button down

    In Conversation: Carter Foster and Lordy Rodriguez

    A Virtual Conversation on the Significance of Mapmaking 17 Nov 2020
News
  • HG Magazine Issue no. 21

    HG Magazine Issue no. 21

    William T. Wiley on View at SFMoMA; plus Gerrymandering panel discussion, Liliana Porter, Driss Ouadahi, Lordy Rodriguez, minestrone soup recipe October 29, 2020
    Panel Discussion: When Redistricting Becomes Gerrymandering -- Can Districts Be Drawn Equitably? Artwork Explained: Liliana Porter's Brancusi William T. Wiley: Con-Fusion-Ism on view at SFMoMA...
    Read more
  • HG Magazine Issue no. 20

    HG Magazine Issue no. 20

    Upcoming Exhibitions: Lordy Rodriguez & Driss Ouadahi; plus Jutta Haeckel, Max Gimblett October 13, 2020
    Lordy Rodriguez: Polar Democracy Driss Ouadahi: Revisited Spaces New to Inventory: Jutta Haeckel Virtual Event: Max Gimblett & Lewis Hyde discuss The Disappearing Ox —...
    Read more

Related artist

  • The image features a stylized, geometric representation of a map composed of multicolored squares arranged in a grid-like pattern. The squares are filled with various hues, creating a mosaic effect reminiscent of a vibrant patchwork quilt. Intersecting li

    Lordy Rodriguez

Back to exhibitions
Location

260 Utah Street

San Francisco, CA 94103

 

Gallery Hours

Tu, W, F & Sa: 10am–5:30pm

Th: 11am–7pm
Closed Sun & Mon

Contact

(415) 495-5454

General Inquiries

Sales Inquiries

We do not accept artist submissions.

Instagram, opens in a new tab.
LinkedIn, opens in a new tab.
Artnet, opens in a new tab.
Join the mailing list
View on Google Maps
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Hosfelt Gallery
Site by Artlogic

This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Please contact us to find out more about our Cookie Policy.

Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences

Your shopping bag

This purchase may be subject to local rates of import, sales and use taxes for which the purchaser is 100% liable.
No items found
Total
$
Checkout now
Close

Your Favorites

Create a list of works then send us an inquiry.
No items found
Items in list
Send us an inquiry
Share with a friend