Carlos Rivas researches and teaches Latin American and U.S. Latinx art history with emphases on the Early Modern period, ancient indigenous arts and contemporary Central American diasporic artists and poets. Currently, his book project explores the history of cartography and landscape in Mesoamerica with a focus on early modern visualizations of the Central American isthmus. Methodologically, Rivas explores decoloniality and critical indigenous futurities as frameworks for advancing innovative methodologies by which to study the past and unpack its relationship to the present day. Other interests include the use of ancient and colonial Latin American iconography in contemporary artistic expressions.

Please list your educational history including degrees earned and universities attended. 

• BA 2010, University of California, Riverside
• MA 2013, UCLA
• PhD 2022 UCLA

Please describe your current research/creative activity or area(s) of interest. 

My research examines Spanish colonial cartography created in the eighteenth century in Guatemala and El Salvador. Using art historical methods, archival research and decolonial theoretical frameworks, I analyze these visual and textual records to reveal the complexities of Spanish rule in the region during a period of what I call “Late Empire” in the decades before Latin American independence. I also have a secondary area of research which is the study of contemporary Latinx art in the United States, especially artists based in Los Angeles.

What/who influenced you to select your area(s) of study and how has that impacted your career? 

I was influenced by my own heritage, as both of my parents fled the 1980s armed conflict in El Salvador. Growing up in the U.S., I didn’t learn much about Central America and so I naturally was always interested in learning more about its history, culture and of course, art!

What undergraduate classes do you teach? 

I teach classes in both History of Art and Ethnic Studies; among them are Ancient Latin American Art, Early Modern Latin American Art, Modern Latin American Art, Contemporary Latinx Art in the U.S., Central American Migrants in the U.S. and specialized graduate seminars for MA and PhD students.

Why do you think a student should take these classes and why would they be of interest to students majoring in other disciplines?

I think all students at The Ohio State University should graduate having taken at least one course in either Latin American or Latinx Studies. This is because Latin America is such an important player in the world stage, and the history of the development of postcolonial Latin America is closely tied with U.S. foreign policy, especially after the so-called “Monroe Doctrine” which has shaped Latin American destinies for nearly two centuries now. 

What aspects of your teaching give you the most satisfaction?

When students tell me they were fascinated by the course material, or when students tell me that I have helped open their eyes to more fact-based and critical histories they were not exposed to in K-12. But when students tell me they have a new-found appreciation for art and the visual world, I especially feel like I’ve done my job. So much emphasis in our education is placed on the analysis of texts that we take for granted that analyzing the visual is a skill in and of itself that one needs to build over time.

If there are opportunities for undergraduates to connect with you for research or creative activity, please share what this would be and how students should reach out to you.

If they are working on any research topic within Latin American Studies or Latinx communities in the United States, I would love to serve as faculty advisor. I have helped many undergraduate students in the past in this regard.

What book/movie would you recommend or what music do you enjoy? 

I would recommend movies from the 1990s (my childhood) such as Fight Club, and I would recommend the iconic albums Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall  by Pink Floyd.

What is the most interesting place you have visited? 

Mexico City

What is the best advice you have received? 

Never give up, and don’t compare myself to others!

What advice would you give to undergraduate students? 

Use your time as a student wisely. College is a means to an end, and so take advantage of the resources and opportunities available to you now to launch yourself forward into your desired career. Be creative, flexible, and ask a lot of questions. Most of this will happen outside of the classroom. Building your career is nonlinear, and that’s okay!

Feel free to stop by my office hours. 

I love to talk about students’ plans after college, especially if they want to pursue a Master’s, PhD or a professional degree. I can help you by offering you advice! Come pick my brain about all kinds of topics, but especially art and Latin America, and history of Central America (including contemporary politics down there!). 

Would you like to share a fun/interesting fact about yourself?

I am an avid photographer and have years of experience shooting events, from quinceañeras to weddings, family portraits to both official university and student graduation ceremonies (with assistants of course!). My true passion is urban street photography, especially nocturnal cityscapes filled with dark alleys, and neon lights.

Learn more about Professor Rivas’ work, email and office location on his department web page.