By Mariela Limon |Staff Writer|
CSUSB’s Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art gathered “Perspectives” artists Linda Vallejo, Luis G. Hernandez, Gregg Stone and David Rosales for a panel discussion on their work Thursday night.
“Perspectives” is rich in culture, color and experience of artists from different backgrounds. The artists’ work can resonate with those who have had the same experience and those who try to understand them.
Linda Vallejo, a Boyle Heights native, has been painting since she was four years old.
Her exhibition “Make ‘Em All Mexican,” features repurposed antiques of pop culture icons. “I buy antiques and restore them,” said Vallejo.
Elvis Presley and George Washington are among the icons that have been visibly turned into Mexicans. Their looks have subtle changes, their skin color being the most visible change.
“They speak about me and my life,” said Vallejo. “I’m making the dolls like me.”
Vallejo’s post-modern work contains her personal experience as a Mexican-American.
David Rosales has lived his entire life in San Bernardino. He describes himself as an “Old fashioned painter.”
Rosales’ exhibition “Wicked Kingdom: Children of La Politana” is about San Bernardino. “I’ve seen San Bernardino change,” said Rosales, his family having lived in the area for over 100 years.
The San Bernardino Valley College professor integrates pluralism and racial misconceptions into a lot of his work.
Gregg Stone, from the Los Angeles area, dealt with a substance abuse problem before he started his work as a painter. His problem brought him to interact with a lot latinos in the Santa Ana area, “I submerged in that community,” said Stone. After spending six months in Tijuana, he decided to get sober.
After he achieved sobriety he wanted to “Paint all the marginalized people of Tijuana and the world,” said Stone. He works in the Southern California area as well as the northern region of Baja California, Mexico.
Stone’s realism art work in “New Aztlan” depicts the lives of those who live in the Latino community on both sides of the border.
Luis G. Hernandez, born in Mexicali, Baja California, bases his work on his experience of living in two countries. His work in “Variantes” integrates a lot of text-based work.
“You know what it says but I’m interested in the openness,” said Hernandez.
His art looks simple but it also says a lot. “I use a lot of layers,” said Hernandez.
His work is very ambiguous; the texts can portray many different meanings to people. Hernandez makes it easy for people to understand that some things are not as easy to comprehend as others, even when it is a simple text.
All four artists have different views and experiences, but they all seem to agree that at the end of the day everyone will have their own interpretation of their work.
“Perspectives” will be on display until Dec. 15. General admission is free to the public. Suggested donation of $3. For more information on hours and upcoming events go to their website at www.raffma.csusb.edu