TAOB Interviews Carlos G. Gomez

Carlos G. Gómez
http://us.mc355.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=ggomez5522@aol.com
http://blue.utb.edu/cgomez/old%20art%20page/new%20gomez%20site%202006.html


TAOB: Where were you born and what do you remember most about your childhood?
Gomez: I was born in Mexico DF in 1952, but I was raised in Brownsville. My first memories are of us living in a tool shed with a dirt floor, a tire rim to cook on and to keep a group of people most who I did not know warm . I remember two outhouses and many smiles from the adults. The rest varies from great times with immediate family to living in areas of Brownsville plagued with all sorts of crime and perversions. Eventually things got better as we moved around the Faulk area…I avoided trouble, worked hard in school and sports and here I am!

TAOB: Describe your art?
Gomez: Social- Abstract –Surrealism. To me people are the most important things in this planet, so I paint about society and its issues. I condense those issues and use specific iconography to say what I have to say. Life or what happens in life is “nutty”. Sometimes I can’t believe what goes on and what we do to ourselves…this is what I paint about. I have no time to paint pretty pictures or stuff that is trivialized or deals with pop culture. At my age I find that stuff boring and it contributes nothing to the evolution of art. That type of art is here today and gone tomorrow…just look at history.

TAOB: Why do you think art is important and how do you feel your art contributes to that purpose?
Gomez: I really don’t think art is important. I think that we as individuals choose to make it important. I understand the historical aspect of art and how it helps define humanity, but if you think about it and I assume we are talking about Fine Art and not crafts, art means nothing to that guy who can’t pay his bills or a family where a TV provides release…what would they do with a dumb picture of a cow or dog? Sadly, my artwork only contributes to those who have a need to see art or want to see art. Even though I do target society in general, the reality is that I don’t have the desire to entertain people. My purpose is to educate, inform and expose.

TAOB: As an artist where do you think success comes from?
Gomez: First of all, I am not an artist, I am a painter. This is important to clarify and to answer your question correctly. Artist per say provide a service by entertaining society. Painters paint. As a painter success comes from reaching the goals that you set up for yourself. These goals can be anything, from exhibiting to selling to developing skills to producing work. Success for some is being accepted as a serious “artist” or being seen as one committed to his work. So success has many avenues and we or those who produce art define our content (success).

TAOB: What is one of the struggles you think an artist faces on a daily basis?
Gomez: Procrastination!

TAOB: What is your favorite type of music and what type of character would you say describes you?
Gomez: My own, the stuff I rip out from my 5 guitars. My character is that of a sweet loveable Doberman who loves chorizo and who loves to go against the grain. I am stern but fair and respect those who are true…can’t stand hypocrisy and racist.

TAOB: As an artist what can you say you are afraid of?
Gomez: I am afraid of idiots, racist, hypocrites, bigots, back stabbers, lairs, and those who hide things.

TAOB: Tell us your view on any particular political issue local, state or federal, which is of importance to you?
Gomez: That is easy, anything that keeps Chicanos, Mexican-Americans out of mainstream. Why aren’t we in the major museums, movies, TV, etc. Gee just look at the scene…something is wrong!

TAOB: Do you believe in a community of artist to be beneficial, why or why not?
Gomez: Yes but only if that artistic community does not eat at each other…and only if there is patronage…equitable patronage.

TAOB: Besides family and art what else is important to you?
Gomez: Well first of all I would not put art in the same sentence with the word family, but to answer your question, truth. Truth to me is something I look for.

Oh by the way, I personally would like to thank you and the TAOB blog for essentially being the voice if not the only driving force behind listing what goes on in the art scene in Brownsville and for that matter in the valley. There is no other entity that promotes the way the blog does. If it were not for the blog many of the local artists would be invisible and much that goes on in the city would be unknown to most. Who else promotes local artist and profiles them. Each of the “established” or exhibition places cater to “their” click or hidden agenda and do not represent the Art of Brownsville or what is important to our culture. So thank you, Myra who started it all and all those who have worked or supported the blog. It is simply the most constant source of artistic dissemination in the city, and most important non-bias…thanks... Gabby
...cgg





TAOB:Many thanks Gomez for your time and responses on this TAOB Blog Artist Interview....