"A QUIEN SHINGAOS LE IMPORTAN LAS MUERTES DE JUAREZ"

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Painting by Mauricio Saenz

CHRONICLE OF A MURDER
WITHOUT A TRACE, 2005
oil on canvas
36 x 48 in

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I like the idea of noteing important paintings executed by local painters, althought we can say "they all are" ,well I would say some stand out more than others, this in my opinion happens to be one of them , lets give or should I say call it the "TAOB Museum Worthy Award".

I think the question still stands "A QUIEN SHINGAOS LE IMPORTAN LAS MUERTES DE JUAREZ" ??, Saenz confronts the high controversy of the missing women of border city Juarez to this date still unresolved in this painting he executed 2005. This painting speaks out in so many levels, not only as dark humor or aesthetically for it is skillfull soft shading but as an example of regional painting having to do with social issues...

I think about the past locally speaking painting may have been seen as a pass time hobbie by probably winter texans or retires, those who can afford the mediums and time to paint without the worries about the bills. I think about how that may have change when several schools were built and a need for art teachers became a supply and demand thing..I think about the present and how we have a mix of painters with different backgrounds, those who teach and paint, those who are retired and paint, those who work day jobs "nothing to do with art" and paint, and the very one percent, few probably none existent who just paint for a living supported by only the art he or she creates. I think about if that really matters, what you do to eat and feed your kids, what you do to put a roof over your head, what you do to put clothe on your backs, how should that define what importance you give to your art, the difference of a true painter or a true hobbiest.. ask yourself "why is your art important ? "if you can't seem to come up with an answer then you now know what matters most......