Critically acclaimed artist César Martínez debuts solo exhibition “En Mi Casa” Nov. 19 at Laredo Center for the Arts

César A. Martínez

The Laredo Center for the Arts (LCA) announces the homecoming reception and exhibition for native Laredoan César A. Martínez on Friday, November 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the LCA, which is located at 500 San Agustin Avenue.

Martínez, a 1962 Martin High School graduate, currently works and resides in San Antonio. He has been celebrated across the United States and Mexico for decades as a mainstay and an inspiring driver of Chicano art.

“En Mi Casa” is Martínez’s first solo show in his hometown of Laredo.

“It feels great coming home after all these years and bringing with me what the place generated!. We aptly titled the show ‘En Mi Casa,’” Martínez said, adding, “The show is a comprehensive one and will feature works from my own collection, which I have kept for exactly this kind of show or occasion. Over the years I’ve regretted selling off certain pieces, but I’ve also made an effort to fill in gaps with new versions and that will continue for the rest of my life. Though not a retrospective, this show comes close.”

Martínez’s work has been exhibited and is part of the permanent collections of distinguished art institutions including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, Washington D.C.; Brooklyn Art Museum, Brooklyn, NY; Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City; the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts; the San Antonio Museum of Art; the McNay Art Museum, San Antonio; and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

Martínez’s “Blue Bato con Sunglasses” is part of his “Pachuco” series and is one of two works of art purchased thus far through LCA’s Art Acquisition Project. This project is spearheaded by the Exhibition Review Committee with the goal of developing a collection for local and regional artists’ work to be displayed for the Laredo community and surrounding areas to enjoy while educating and inspiring the public as well as up and coming artists.

Martínez was the first artist in LCA’s Art Acquisition Project: Exhibition Series by local and regional artists. The Center has partnered with the International Bank of Commerce, Laredo Independent School District-Martin High School, La Posada Hotel, and Falcon Bank to provide a warm Laredo welcome.

The LCA will host an Artist Talk with César A. Martínez on Saturday, November 20, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Center. Local artist and VMT instructor Gil Rocha will lead the talk. Attendance is free and open to the public.

Martínez is represented by Ruiz-Healy Art, which specializes in contemporary works of art with an emphasis on Latinx and Latin American artists, as well as working with prominent Texas-based artists. With galleries in San Antonio and New York City, Ruiz-Healy Art’s continuous investments in these under-represented areas have remained a longstanding signature of the gallery program.

The community is cordially invited to the opening reception of “En Mi Casa,” to view the collection of Martinez’s work and to meet the artist. This event is free and open to the public. His work will be on display through January 14, 2022. For more information please visit www.LaredoArtCenter.org or call (956) 725-1715.

SIDEBAR

Recommended reading: cesara.martinez.com

By Maria Eugenia Guerra

Of his upcoming show in Laredo, César Martínez said, “It feels great coming home after all these years and bringing with me what the place generated for the show we aptly titled ‘En Mi Casa.’ The show is a comprehensive one and will feature works from my own collection, which I have kept for exactly this kind of show or occasion. Over the years I’ve regretted selling off certain pieces, but I’ve also made an effort to fill in gaps with new versions, and that will continue for the rest of my life. Though not a retrospective, this show comes close.”

He spoke of the influences of Laredo and northern Mexico on his work. “My family’s (el norte de México, the family ranch there) and my place of origin has been central to most of my work because it is the culture that made me who I am. References to the area, the ecology, the cultural gamut, the people abound in my work — gratuitously included is a new drawing titled ‘Chuco de la Guada.’ 

“Though mostly known for my Bato/Pachuco series, I’ve done much work with culturally-related themes, and that will be evident. All my series of work are represented in the show, including the Mestizo series, which is broader, beyond Chicano, and explores the big picture of who we are. I only hope that I have made a visual contribution to the meaning of that. It is always my agenda to define ourselves and not to be defined by outsiders,” he said. 

 “The same goes for my work, which is why I took it upon myself to do a lot of writing for my website in that regard. Much has been written, but inaccuracies are rife. Too much to be said,” he concluded.

Martínez’s work, a massive reflection on the evolution of a culture, is rich in meaning, texture, and color — a footnote that marks time and place with grace, beauty, and sometimes humor. The articulate writing (and imagery) of his website — cesaramartinez.com — is, too, a soulful, introspective work of art, a piece of highly recommended companion reading.

About the LCA’s Art Acquisition Project

This initiative of the Laredo Center for the Arts, LCA, is spearheaded by the Exhibition Review Committee to develop a permanent collection of artworks by local and regional contemporary artists. The collection will be housed and maintained by the LCA and is designed to be used as an educational tool for art students as well as help to educate the community and surrounding areas about these artists, many of whose works hang in museums and galleries across the United States, Mexico, and Europe. The Exhibition Review Committee has an extensive and ongoing list of local and regional artists for consideration of future exhibits and/or acquisition.

The Art Acquisition Project is funded in part by the LCA and is dependent upon community support to continue its efforts of purchasing work.

For information on how to make a financial contribution to this project, to purchase artwork in memoriam or in honor of a loved one, or to submit an artist for consideration please email mmamici@gmail.com.