“Diàspora,” the newest exhibition by Nebraska’s Francisco Souto, will be featured at Lincoln’s Kiechel Fine Art Gallery, 1208 O St. An opening reception is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 18.

The work, on display through Nov. 22, continues Souto’s response to realities affecting Venezuela, his native country.

“A rampant sociopolitical tension, economic decay, violence and scarcity has created a diàspora by a failed state, which denies its people of basic access to food, water and healthcare. This political and ideological malicious strategy of social control to stay in power has forced millions of Venezuelans to migrate creating a global humanitarian tragedy.”

Souto was born in Venezuela and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Herron School of Art and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Ohio State University. He has participated in a range of national and international exhibitions throughout the United States, Europe, Venezuela, Russia, Egypt, China and Japan. The master printmaker has shared his expertise through workshops and as a visiting artist in the United States and abroad, garnering several awards and grants. His work is in several public and private collections around the world.