Phoenix-based artist Adam Corona (also known as BrassTuna) presents their first solo exhibition, "Sometimes While Growing Up, You Find Yourself," at the Eric Fischl Gallery from November 8 to 25, 2025. The show captures the vibrant tradition of Charrería in South Phoenix through BrassTuna's lens. Originating in 16th-century Mexico as ranch work training, Charrería has evolved into a symbolic cultural practice. In South Phoenix, it embodies a generational tradition reflecting the rich history of Mexican culture and community. An opening reception will take place on Saturday, November 8, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Charrería
“I was doing a lot of reflection as to who I am as an individual, especially as a Mexican American person who does not speak fluent Spanish,” Corona says. “I was raised around Charrería. My grandparents own Corona Ranch, which is the largest Mexican rodeo grounds in Arizona. I wanted to provide a platform for a community of individuals who I rarely see in the contemporary arts, the people who raised me, despite my earlier work not being synonymous with them.”
Corona's cousin, who serves as the exhibition project manager, participated in Charrería until he was 18 and helped Corona find the participants to interview, photograph, and film for the exhibition, which range in age from 16 to late 70s. "As queer individuals, both of us have had interesting relationships with the sport," Corona notes. "So many times in my life, I dismissed this community–I'm not part of you. I am not one of you–but in reality I am. I can't separate myself from this community. These participants have a story I want to share."
In researching Charrería, Corona’s aunt loaned them a book from the Federations Museum in Mexico City and this quote resonated with them: The heart of the sport is in good hands as long as there's a child on horse. "That speaks volumes about the sport itself," Corona says, "but it's more a way of life. I may not be a charro, I may not be riding a horse, but this project is my way of life, coming back into this community."
Corona is eager to give the participants a platform in the contemporary art world: “There’s often a lot of tension mixing the contemporary with the historical.” But developing the show has also been personal. Corona notes the healing aspect of interviewing the younger participants and seeing a shift, “making women and queer people visible, and being open to new opportunities and new possibilities,” says Corona. “I genuinely feel the sport is in safe hands.”
Educational journey
Corona enrolled in Phoenix College in 2019 to study fashion. After a pandemic-related pause, they returned to school and transitioned to photography. Encouraged by Phoenix College faculty to submit artwork for the Vanguard Award in 2024, Corona was honored with a first-place photography award and a coveted Vanguard Award, presented by contemporary painter, sculptor, author, and fellow Phoenix College alumnus, Eric Fischl at the Eric Fischl Series, held every year at the Phoenix Art Museum.
“I hold a lot of respect for artists like Eric Fischl; they're multi disciplinarians. When people ask me, What do you do? "I rarely say that I'm a photographer, because I spend more time making masks than I do photographing and editing work.”
Corona notes that the Vanguard Award was a needed confidence boost to apply for the Artist to Work program from the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, which provided financial support to develop the upcoming show. “Watching Adam Corona grow as an artist has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching career,” says Phoenix College Photography professor Jennifer Laffoon. “His intelligence, vision, and fearless commitment to his work have earned him many accolades. His upcoming solo show at the Eric Fischl Gallery is not just a milestone, it’s the beginning of an extraordinary journey.”
BrassTuna
BrassTuna as an artistic name has been like "uncovering a fossil," Corona says. As a child living in Arizona, they wanted to be a marine biologist. A family trip to Mexico and a stroll by a metalworking shop, where men turned scrap metal into wall hangings of various shapes–the sun, the moon, a tiger, a lion–had Corona pointing to a brass tuna fish on the wall. "My parents bought it for me, the first material item I loved.” The tuna was moved from wall to wall throughout their teenage years, eventually becoming lost. Still, Corona sees the process of the brass tuna being made from scraps as a parallel to their maskmaking process.
"I like to be referred to as BrassTuna whenever I'm in an art space," Corona says. Much of their early work has explored the feminine–"heels and dresses and nails," they say. "I'm a feminine person and this is how I express that femininity," which often invites requests to submit work for all-female shows. Corona politely declines. “The BrassTuna identity makes people forget who I am. There's some separation between me and my art, which I enjoy very much.”
The Exhibition
Corona’s exhibition features nine large-print images of Charrería participants, a film collage, and an informational display with the sport’s history and competition categories. A smaller, experimental space will include an altar-like structure and 400 handmade mirrors with embedded images, playing on the concept of what photographs can be. The Eric Fischl Gallery is open Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Meet the artist at the “Sometimes While Growing Up, You Find Yourself” opening reception on Saturday, November 8, from 5:30-9 p.m. in the Eric Fischl Gallery.
Have an interest in the visual or performing arts? Explore a career as a full-time artist or consider the flexibility of freelance work as an artist.