''What We See and Don’t See''
New Paintings by Luis Granda
By Michelle Wey

Art Opening Luis Granda  “What We See and Don’t See” Fri Sept 14, 7pm Mero Arte Contemporaneo Zacateros 24

An exhibition of all new paintings by Luis Granda opens on Friday, September 14 at Mero Arte Contemporaneo. This ambitious exhibition is a demonstration of this artist’s belief in the vital importance of continued artistic growth throughout one’s creative life. These paintings serve as a visual answer to the question of how to find synthesis in a globalized world. The use of iconic imagery combined with a personal language that feels like graffiti creates a direct line of communication with the viewer. The composition of these paintings tends to feature a central figure in a constantly moving atmosphere. The idea of there being more than meets the eye in these paintings—(M)which are a reflection of our globalized world—(M)is expressed through the human element in a contemporary setting as being what we see, while the system, the elements that are constantly moving and changing in our environment, is what we do not see.

In aesthetic terms, this important next step in Luis Granda’s artistic growth is marked by the increased importance of his personal language. It has evolved from being a calligraphic, decorative element usually limited to the backgrounds of his paintings to playing a dynamic role in terms of the color and composition as well as a vehicle for expressing a postmodern concept of today’s society. So, while the artist places increased importance on the personal imagery of his works, they simultaneously take on the large universal themes to which people from diverse background can relate and respond. This correlation between the intensely personal and the universal is the secret to the success of this exhibition by a mature master painter.

Born in Spain in 1941, he arrived in Mexico 13 years later with his family, escaping the Franco regime. He studied architecture at UNAM in Mexico City but soon recognized painting as his true vocation. Granda has created an outstanding career as a plastic artist. To date, he has been honored with more than 25 individual exhibitions and many more collective exhibitions, including solo shows in Bellas Artes and Casa Lamm in Mexico City. Although primarily an oil painter, Luis Granda has, to his credit, a body of work that also includes lithographs, prints, watercolors, drawings, bronze sculpture, a series of signature gold and silver jewelry and three published books about his work.

Ceramics

Gorky González

50th Anniversary Celebration Sept 15 to Oct 15 Sazón Correo 22

One of Mexico’s most prominent artists, Gorky González, is celebrating his 50th anniversary as a ceramicist, and will be honored at Sazón. He will unveil 15 one-of-a-kind pieces which will be available for purchase. Stop by to enjoy the works of this fine artist, a true national treasure.

One of Mexico’s most prominent artists is ceramist, Gorky González who is credited with revitalization of the traditional potteries of Guanajuato. When Gorky started out as a potter, the clay was hauled down to his workshop by mules. He rescued the art of mojalica (mah-HO-leeka) ceramic designs from the Spanish Colonial period (1521 to 1820) and established an artists’ foundry at the Instituto Allende here in San Miguel to ensure that this traditional art form endures. Gorky is the recipient of the National Award of Arts and Traditions, the country’s most important art award, bestowed annually by the President of Mexico.

In addition to featured pieces at Sazón, his works are in museums, galleries and major exhibitions worldwide. Many of the Gorky pieces at Sazón have been created uniquely for the store. They are lead-free and are created using the Talavera technique with clay from surrounding Guanajuato hills.