Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
South Texas College Art Department Chair Carlos Limas’ travels to Peru were documented by the photographer focusing on landscapes, shapes and culture to preserve and document the country’s traditions and celebrations.
Now, his works, titled “Destino Sur,” is displayed at the International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) in McAllen.
“When I visit new places, I get lost in their culture,” said Limas, who is also an STC Digital Photography faculty member. “As an artist, photographer, these places are incredible, and I get excited to capture and immerse others in the country’s culture. Being invited to exhibit my work at IMAS gives me the chance to share and teach others about life in other places.”
Accepting an invitation to join the exhibit from the Master of Fine Arts program from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), Limas’ exhibit includes 24 photos of various sizes and colors representing Peru’s culture and focused on the Nazca Lines, groups of geoglyphs of animals, plants and geometrical shapes, that appear from a distance to be etched into Earth’s surface that extend over an area of nearly 190 square-miles.
This was a project that Limas began back in 2018 as a master’s degree student at UTRGV studying abroad in Peru.
“I flew into Peru before my study abroad assignment began so that I could fly over the Nazca Lines in a small plane and take pictures of everything in the ground,” he said. I also got to visit the Ballesta Islands and Paracas Desert, discovering fascinating things such as underground rivers. Simply put, this entire journey has been a unique experience.”
As a photographer from Mexico, living in South Texas, Limas said his experiences in Peru have deepened his understanding of Latin America, revealing both the shared history and unique cultural nuances the define his ethnicity.
“The similarity of a common past reinforces the idea that photography is more than just an act of visual documentation,” he said. “It is an act of resilience, a way of preserving our ancestors’ stories and identities in a rapidly changing world.”
Limas said in addition to showcasing his work and the Peruvian culture, he hopes that his exhibit serves as an inspiration to other aspiring photographers, artists and his students.
“As educators our goal is show students what is possible and what they can look forward to as artists,” he said. “This shows them that the community supports visual arts…and it’s all displayed in various ways. I’m a graphic artist, photographer and there are other media such as painting and videos. I want our students to understand that art, like photography, leaves a legacy. Photos are forever, especially if we print them.”
He said he hopes his photography can make a lasting impact and connect with the community on a deeper level.
“Each frame captures a spectrum of moments filled with emotion, nostalgia and wonder, that not only shape my artistic vision but also serve as a bridge between memory and history,” said Limas. “Through my lens, I witness the strength and vibrancy of everyday life, the echoes of tradition in modernity and the unspoken narratives that connect people across borders. Photography reaffirms my sense of humanity and my identity as a Latino.”
