Art

The Magic of Mexican Art comes to life in a new art history book
By Catherine Krantz

The Art of Mexico is as diverse as the country itself. Mexican art draws from its unique native origins, its traditions and culture and combines it with the strong European influence brought by the Spanish during colonial times. Add to the mix a rich political history, a bloody revolution and war for independence in the not very distant past creating a strong individualistic spirit and a whole crop of Modern Mexican artists, newly politicized in our modern global environment. What results is a vibrant artistic dialogue spanning centuries. Art Historian and director of Promocion de Arte Mexicano, Lupina Lara Elizondo has created a book series, Vision de Mexico y sus Artistas, beautiful bilingual coffee table art books that profile an impressive array of Mexican artists throughout history. Her latest book, Herencia plástica del México Colonial Renovaciones a tres siglos de distancia, the fifth book in the series has recently been released. This book chronicles Mexican art during colonial times, highlighting the artistic environment that was New Spain and the effect of European influences on Mexican Art. Profiled artists include: Baltasar Echave Orio, Baltasar Echave Ibia, Baltasar Echabe Rioja, Juan Correa, Jose Juárez, Cristobal de Villalpando, Miguel Cabrera, and Nicolas Rodriguez Juarez.

Book four in the series, Paralelismos en la Plastica de los Siglos XIX y XXI, about Mexican artists of the 19th and 20th century is already known in Zihuatanejo for its inclusion of Guerrero artist, Nicolas de Jesús, whose work has been shown here, at Cococabaña Boutique, for many years. De Jesus is originally from the Balsa River region of the state of Guerrero, but has extensively traveled, lived and exhibited across Mexico and the world. His work, most recognizable for it’s Day of the Dead themes, are strongly rooted in Mexican tradition, culture and history but also embrace much larger themes of war, poverty and politics. His chosen form is painting or printmaking on handmade amate paper, and has been recognized as a master in this field. Amate paper is a paper made from the pulp of tree bark and it’s use is a long standing tradition in de Jesus’ native region. Lara’s book also focused on his commitments to supporting Mexican art and artists and how he has shared his knowledge of print making to students both in Mexico and the United States.

Lupina Lara Elizondo will be in Zihuatanejo in January when Coconuts restaurant will be hosting an event in her honor, an art exhibition highlighting local artists and the chance to find out more about her new book. Lara, well known in art circles, also publishes a beautiful and educational bimonthly art magazine, Resumen, about Mexican painters and through her art gallery offers works for sale by more than 200 Mexican artists. For more information on the Vision de Mexico y sus Artistas series, come by Coconuts Restaurant in central Zihuatanejo the evening of January 8, or visit the website of Promocion de Arte Mexicano: www.promoartemexicano.com

Contents | Previous | Next