All in one post- Art Review -Brownsville Art Scene and the Economy

Catching up with the readers of TAOB, October has been a busy and hectic month for all of us... I think, the Brownsville Art scene..and the Economy slump, Falling Gas prices and Presidential Elections coming up..

So what do you think... Obama or McCain for president ? Who's agenda would we in the Valley benefit more from ?

Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival was exciting this month.. Amigos Artistas joined in by exhibiting a small taste "15works-paintings" of artist of Oaxaca, Mexico, which they will be exhibiting in December at the Historic. The show is a must see.

Also at the Galeria 409 is the work of Cande Aguilar, I got a chance to see this show before the opening, I thought more than half of the work was typical of his style similar to that of his "vivo mas" exhibit which was earlier this year at the BMFA , but brought a new work to this exhibit "untitled" a collage of recycle bags spread against a 5 x 8 frame and wrapped together in industrial wrapping. The piece is phenomenal, it breaks new ground, I thought it to be very important and progressive similar to that of Eduardos Cheeto Painting one of my favorite works.

At the UTB a recent show opened this past Tuesday "Self-Portrait -Invitational " . A group show of several artist ranging from Toni Hudson to Cesar Martinez. The center piece or the piece that stood out the most for this show in my opinion was Gomez self-portrait collage which completely broke away from Gomez re-known style of social abstract surrealist oil painting. Breaking down the collage, made up by "overalls and t-shirt that are hung up against a chalk board "-these overalls typically used by Gomez , and a "hanging eraser "- perhaps suggesting a stand off , a challange of some sort against the viewer. The chalk board which appears in heavy use and erased leaving only a word "machacado" -which means dry eatable meat - perhaps representing the human body- the carnal side of Gomez- the flesh and blood he is made of. Also tacked against the board is an oil painting on paper that depicts a sketchy drawing of Gomez writing on the chalk board - for me a representation of his devotion to his carrier as a professor at the university. Above the overalls is a oil painting of a red, white and green flag- suggestive of Gomez being born in Mexico, with a image of a snake which seams to scar itself on to the canvas - the snake for me is simbolic reflecting a probable shedding his skin metaphorically speaking - in respect to him taking off the clothes off his back and now on display as his work, also perhaps suggesting his work now showing a new skin and entering a new era in his life and in his work, the snake is curled up in a circle almost as a silhouette of an eye. On the flag there is also a series of silver skull pins outlining a skull descending perhaps his life as an artist until his death. The work is complex by all means, a strong message to the viewer.. I think this is the one that will make them think the unthinkable, for me it already has..



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