The poster for Delgado Dreams depicts Black Barbie with an Afro and a rainbow leopard print dress standing next to a Hulk action figure.
On October 9, 2026, Juan Jose Delgado and SD Kendra Delgado debuted their MFA thesis exhibition Delgado Dreams at the Charles and Dorothy Clark Gallery. Both artists take unique approaches to repurposing toys to depict everyday life. Combining fantasy and reality through painting and sculpture, Juan constructs miniature scenes that also serve as subjects for still life compositions. Using fabric and sculpture, SD Kendra reimagines the altars, archives, and apparel that are characteristic of Black domestic spaces. Delgado Dreams was on view from October 9th - October 23rd.
Juan Jose Delgado, Date Night, oil on canvas, 2026.
In September, the artists sat down with Kayla Martinez of the UTRGV Rider to discuss the exhibition. The artists spoke of the contrast in their work stemming from having completely different childhoods. Juan grew up migrant farm working with his family, while SD Kendra grew up in the city surrounded by college educated, professional women. Speaking of his art, Juan said, “through dioramas, I re-explore my identity, my culture, and how I grew up and how I identify now in the society with my experience and what I’m learning, not just in the program, but with my wife, SD, and her experiences.” (Martinez, 2026).
Check out the full article at The Rider.
