At the start of the new academic term, on 26 September 2024, the University of Bath launched the 'State of Disappearance’ exhibition in the lofty, modern Chancellors' Building.

Exhibiting 73 artworks by renowned Mexican abstract painter Chantal Meza, the launch marks the first step in the University’s ambition to bring thoughtful art into the educational environment.

Hosted by Vice Chancellor, Professor Phil Taylor and Professor Deborah Wilson, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, among the launch’s notable attendees were the Mayor of Bath, Michelle O'Doherty; the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mr Mohammed Saddiq; and Leader of Bath council, councillor Kevin Guy.

Exploring disappearance

Meza’s evocative collection, created over five years beginning in 2017, explores the concept of disappearance in its many forms—physical, cultural, ecological, and ideological. Situated on the 5th floor of The Chancellors' Building, visitors are encouraged to learn about the issues and consider what role art can play in the future direction of the University.

While some of the collection is curated in the open plan space to invite contemplative reflection, in a bold and original move, the collection further continues in the teaching room CB 5.12, bringing the art directly into spaces for learning and conversation.

Meza believes this approach is crucial:

Universities are places where ideas can grow. When you bring together art and education, you create new ways of seeing the world. In this way, art and education are inseparable, as they both aim to explore the past, confront the present, and envision a better future. While I believe the University should be a natural home for art, I am nevertheless honoured and humbled that the University of Bath has warmly embraced this collection.

Inspiring a different conversation

Reflecting its core values of inclusion and diversity, while highlighting its international outlook and evidencing the University’s commitment to supporting ground-breaking research and multi-disciplinary approaches to address the world’s most pressing issues in impactful and ethically considered ways, Meza’s collection was chosen by the University due to its quality, poignancy and relevance.

Commenting on the exhibition and the use of art on campus, Vice Chancellor Phil Taylor said:

It was a real privilege to attend the opening of Chantal Meza’s State of Disappearance collection on campus. I can see how using art in this way can inspire a different conversation about such a complex and challenging topic and I congratulate colleagues from the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences and Advancement Office for organising this. I encourage students and staff to visit the exhibition in The Chancellors’ Building and I look forward to seeing the art on campus initiative develop further.

Art and research: a collaborative approach

A move towards displaying more artworks on campus grew out of an earlier collaboration led by Meza and Professor Brad Evans, Director of the Centre for the Study of Violence in the Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies (PoLIS), which developed by bringing various stakeholders together from across the University community, notably including Laura Palmer and Louisa Oldfield from the Advancement Office.

For Evans, the connection between art and education is what makes this initiative both important and innovative:

As educators we always need to find creative and thoughtful ways to explore and respond to the most challenging issues that endanger our shared humanity. This initiative seeks to create a dialogue between art and academia, challenging us to confront the pressing social issues of our time. The role of art in education cannot be overstated. Art gives us a way to engage with complex and often painful realities more profoundly. It’s not just about understanding the issue—it’s about finding solutions and inspiring change.

Recognising its value, Jimena Alamo, the Student Governor and Student’s Union (SU) President also voiced her support for the initiative. She said:

I profoundly believe that ‘The State of Disappearance’ exhibition is such a strong contribution to our community. It is a necessary first step in recognising our diversity. More than that, it creates a space where as students, we stand and tell people across the world, ‘you matter, we recognise what you’ve been through, and we care’.

The official opening of the exhibition on the evening of 26 September 2024 coincided with the 10th anniversary of the disappearance of 43 students from Ayotzinapa, Mexico—an incident that shocked the world. According to Human Rights Watch, over 100,000 people have disappeared in Mexico since 2006, with thousands of unmarked graves discovered across the country. As with other countries which also face the same problem, enforced disappearance disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including women, children, and migrants.

Commenting on the launch and relevance for the humanities and social sciences at Bath, Professor Deborah Wilson stated:

Students should feel safe and free, wherever they are in this world. For this reason, among others, the artist believes these works belong in a university setting, for it is through education and the union between image and thoughts, that new worlds are imagined. Worlds that are more peaceful, welcoming, and open to our shared differences.

The intention is to make the State of Disappearance collection an integral part of the life of the University. The works are already being incorporated into existing teaching programmes, with several academics having reserved the art room for teaching purposes, hosting workshops and public events. The artist will also be running tours, delivering a number of talks and participating in teaching sessions during the coming academic year. Plans are also being developed to enhance the visitor experience, including producing an audio accompaniment that will be narrated by the artist to explain the context to each of the works.

Further details on this initiative and requests to speak with the artist can be arranged by contacting Professor Evans, Director of the Centre for the Study of Violence at b.evans@bath.ac.uk.

About the Artist: Chantal Meza is a self-taught abstract painter from Mexico, currently based in the UK. Her work has been featured in numerous prestigious exhibitions, auctions, and biennials in prominent museums and galleries across Mexico, Paraguay, and the UK. Chantal has given international lectures and workshops at various universities and has been officially recognised for her contribution to culture in Mexico. Her work has recently been supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Visit her website for more information on Chantal Meza and her work.