From the Pueblo to West Texas:
Paintings by René Alvarado
From the Pueblo to West Texas: Paintings by René Alvarado will open Friday, October 21, 2011 and close Sunday, January 29, 2012. In 2009, René Alvarado was named the “Texas Two-dimensional Visual Artist of the Year”. René Alvarado was born in the small village of El Manantial, Coahuila, Mexico, just outside Torreón, Mexico. Although at that time, by American standards, there was little entertainment or news of the outside world, this small community embraced a sense of ritual, acted out in story-telling, music, and religious ceremony. When Alvarado came to the U.S. with his family at seven years of age he brought with him an interest in art that solidified his attachment to his Mexican roots. It also assisted him in cultivating his new life in San Angelo, Texas. Alvarado's canvas became a personal journal as the anecdotal narratives reflected his life experiences. Alvarado states, “I have come to realize that my work is defined both by my familial roots in northern Mexico and by the subtle, mystical environment of my adopted home in West Texas. My creative process is immersed in this dual identity.”
From the Pueblo to West Texas: Paintings by René Alvarado features paintings full of elegant and mysterious images, layering multiple details of the stories that have inspired him. The personal iconography draws upon the rich cultural heritage and cultural folklore from both cultures. The large colorful paintings in this exhibition feature prominent and repetitive decorative motifs such as fish, roses, and vines. Figures of women are commonly featured in the works. He examines the respect and reverence for the matriarchal household he knew as a child. Like the patron saints in his small pueblo church who seemed to watch over him, his paintings of women reflect a Madonna-like status in his adulthood.
El Payaso; oil and acrylic on canvas 20 X 16 inches
In the gallery, Alvarado will also create an “artful space” echoing the traditional customs of the Mexican celebration called Dia de los Muertos. With curious objects, images, and color, the installation will be designed to reflect the artist’s personal memories and current views of this distinctive and unique celebration. The installation is being created in conjunction with the Ellen Noël Art Museum Family Art Day – Dia de los Muertos, on October 30th 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Horse in the Lilly Pond
acrylic and oil on canvas
8ft X 7ft
The artist will give a free, public Gallery Talk about his life and work on Friday, October 21, at 10:30 a.m. in the Museum. All members of the community, especially students and artists, are encouraged to attend the talk by this “2009 Texas Two-dimensional Visual Artist of the Year”.