February 2012
Gallery Talk
by Myrna Zanetell
Menu of this month's listings, stories and columns
Enriquez a hometown treasure
Viewers who take time to immerse themselves in the 50 images showcased in the El Paso Museum of Art’s “Magnificent Mexico: 20th Century Modern Masterworks” will not only acquire a deeper appreciation for the works of the Mexican Masters, but will no doubt also come away with an increased interest in artwork created on this side of the border by American-born artists of Mexican extraction.
In this regard, El Paso has the good fortune to be the hometown of Gaspar Enriquez, a Mexican-American painter whose powerful airbrush portraiture has become a significant voice depicting the culture and lifestyle of those who live along the U.S.-Mexican Border. Born in 1942 and raised in the Segundo Barrio, Enriquez refers to himself as “the quintessential Chicano Texas artist exemplifying how focus, hard work and “puro corazon” can conquer early disadvantages of language and economics.”
After graduating from Ysleta High in 1960, Enriquez left for Los Angeles where he worked as a machinist while attending East L.A. Junior College. There he met and married Anne Garcia, now deceased.
Although Enriquez had been blessed with an innate love for art as a youngster, his interest had waned in high school because art classes of this period still focused primarily on European art. During he wai in L.A., however, the growing Chicano art movement and the opportunity to visit museums and galleries encouraged him to rethink the role art might play in his future.
Following a five-year stint in Denton, Texas, where Enriquez worked for General Dynamics, the couple returned to El Paso where earned a B.A. in Art Education from UTEP in 1970 and an MA in Metals at NMSU in 1985.
Drawing upon this diverse background allows him the flexibility to combine both mediums in some of his work. At the same time, he also encountered the technique of airbrush. “I really liked the effect and values I could get on faces since people are my most frequent subject.”
Enriquez spent the next 34 years teaching art at Bowie High School, while also building his reputation as a nationally recognized artist. His work was part of numerous traveling exhibitions, including the acclaimed “CARA-Chicano Art: Resistance and Affirmation, 1965-1985.”
His private collectors include comedian and actor Cheech Marin, who owns a number of works, several of which he shared with El Pasoans during the exhibition “Chicano Visions: American Painters on the Verge” in 2003. Another famous collector is Walmart heiress Alice Walton, who recently acquired a piece entitled “Mi Querida Madre” (My Dear Mother) for the permanent collection of the new Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Ark. (the same museum that also purchased Luis Jimenez’s fiberglass sculpture, “Vaquero”).
For Enriquez, the term “Chicano artist” embraces a broad identity as one born in the U.S. who draws his influences from his Hispanic culture. Moving far beyond being a political movement, the designation of Chicano artist now encompasses surrealists, conceptualists, impressionists and pop artists such as Luis Jimenez.
“We are assimilated into the American culture, and the best work of any artist is done from subjects with which he is the most familiar. For instance, I draw inspiration from my students. I was born and raised in the same environment in which they now live and even having traveled the world, when I come back I find very little has changed.”
One Night of Hope
The El Paso Museum of Art will host the El Paso Diabetes Association’s Feb. 11 gala, “One Night of Hope.” Henry Brutus, CEO of the Association, explains that the annual fundraisers honors those who have impacted diabetes in our community.
“In the past the “Diabetes Person of Vision Award” has generally been presented to someone in the medical profession, however, we felt that Hal Marcus especially fulfilled the criteria of an honoree. Hal lives with diabetes and has it well under control,” Brutus said.
The El Paso Museum of Art will also honor Hal by displaying his “Four Seasons of El Paso” in the downstairs Ginger Frances Gallery Jan. 29-Feb. 29.
EPMA Director of Development Jeff Romney shares, “The vibrant colors of this Fauve-inspired, four-panel, acrylic on canvas depict the artist’s neighborhood in four seasons from four directions at four different times of the day. Using a similar composition, each panel is anchored by the green spire of the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral and the converging lines of a central street leading to a distant vanishing point near the mountainous horizon.”
Hal comments, “I am especially pleased with this recognition. Although I have long been involved with the El Paso Museum of Art, this is the first time my work has been exhibited there.”
Rak going strong at 87
Bill Rakocy remains proof positive that doing what you love keeps you vibrant and young at heart. The 87-year-old “Rak” is being honored with yet another one-man exhibition, some 40 original works on display in the library of Eastern New Mexico University in Ruidoso.
Bruce DeFoor head of the ENMU-Ruidoso art department was effusive in his praise for the seasoned artist: “Bill outworks artists half his age. Often he is up before dawn already hard at work in his El Paso studio.”
Should you happen to be in Ruidoso in February, take time to visit the campus of ENMU Ruidoso and stop by to view the exhibition, which hangs through Feb. 29.
La Mesa Station exhibition
Sam Cueto, 14, is paralyzed from the neck down. Despite this limitation, the young artist produces bright and imaginative paintings. If you would like to see this inspirational young man create his lively and colorful art, head to La Mesa Station Gallery, 16205 Hwy 28, La Mesa, N.M., from 1 to 7 p.m. Sat. Jan. 28, for the opening reception. He will demonstrate his creative technique at 3 p.m.
“Sam’s art is both imaginative and realistic,” said Sandra Martin, gallery manager. “His inspiration for painting comes from pictures or other things he sees, but it also comes from his unique imagination. Sam’s style is evolving, but he always selects vivid and memorable colors.”
Sam paints with a laser light attached to his glasses, directing a volunteer who follows his light and applies oil paint to canvas, using the colors and even the direction of brush strokes, as Sam designates. His work will be on display through February.
Myrna Zanetell is a freelance writer
specializing in the visual arts.
El Paso Scene MONTHLY
This month's listings,
stories and columnsFeature story
Roundup
Music
Dance
Here's the Ticket
Program Notes
On Stage
Sports
Southwest Art Scene
At the Museum
History Lessons
Nature
Film Scene
Keep on Bookin'
Becoming Bicultural
Liner Notes
Stage Talk
Gallery Talk
Better ParentingCopyright 2012 by Cristo Rey Communications.