Op de Muur exhibition- Curated by Gabriel Diego Delgado

Op De Muur

"A Cross-Generational Dialogue of Abstract Art"

“Op de Muur” Spotlights San Antonio Artists in Houston

-Gabriel Diego Delgado

When thinking about the great Second and Third Generation Abstract Expressionist artists like the great Salvator Scarpitta, Norman Bluhm, William de Kooning, and Texas’s own John Alexander we know they have inspired so many and influenced multiple generations of art and artists. Looking to Central Texas, especially Houston and San Antonio, a plethora of artists choose to call this area home. But some regionally and nationally recognized artists in Texas have had friendships with these great iconic artists. And those artists who had the opportunity to meet Salvatore Scarpitta, William de Kooning and Norman Bluhm say that experience changed their lives.

 

These generations of artists are now reciprocating the experience. Houston artists like Don Localio, Michael Hollis, Jim Hatchett, Wanda Alexander, Guus Kemp and David Freeman have held true to their core beliefs of Abstract Art, celebrated in the nature of Expressionism, and dedicated their craft to emotional, spiritual, metaphysical acts of making art; living that sometimes chaotic but always special life of artist (with all its high and lows) all the while having first-hand experiences that changed their views on art and life. However, like this generation a new one is rising up and holding true to the core beliefs of Abstract Art; allowing for a new exploration of an artistic genre; never-mindful of art market trends and carrying the torch of an aesthetic vision. And, chosen to represent this new generation of artists in “Op de Muur” are a special selection of Abstract Painters from San Antonio.

In “Op de Muur”, San Antonio’s own have made a visual splash in the Art Community of Houston with their individualistic abstract approaches. San Antonio- once thought to never surpass the artistic expectations of the big cities like Houston or Austin, has a rising tide of artistic talent. Thanks in part to cheap rent, large live work spaces, art communities like Blue Star Contemporary Arts Complex and King Williams, San Antonio artists are commandeering an artistic advantage- collectively harnessing the vibrant and supportive art community.

Leading the New Generation in the “Op de Muur” exhibition is a close knit group of abstract painters. James Raska, James Saldivar and Louis Vega Trevino are three of the artists chosen to represent the new vanguard of Abstract Art from San Antonio in this exhibition opening in Houston on July 23, 2011. Each artist is slightly diverging from the original look and feel of Abstract and Abstract Expressionism art, but creating an unapologetic variant of an intangible ideology.

James Raska, a painter’s painter deals with complex minimal abstractions. Highly organized in thought and technique, his paintings walk the line between a post-Twombly and Hard Edge Abstractions of the late 1960’s. His techniques range from sanding and varnishing to eloquent linear qualities. On the other hand Artist, James Saldivar blending of “drips” and stripes make for an artistic dialogue reminiscent of Abstract Expressionism combined with early references to Frank Stella. Organized by simple color combinations reflective of basic color theory and initiative responses, James Saldivar’s organic drips juxtapose the viewer into a world of color and rhythm anchored by one artist’s decision to revel in the pure theologies of Abstract Art. Louis Vega Trevino- the more established of the San Antonio selection bears witness to the validity of installation art. Louis, known for his napkin drawings (see building facades in San Antonio’s Main Plaza) has an opportunity to shine as one of the spotlights of the exhibition, with a full room dedicated to his napkins. With over 3,000 napkins, the room is organized by rows stretching the full length of the space. The viewer is overwhelmed at first by the complexity of the installation, but is soon swept up in the ephemeral aspects of material. Swaying in the wind from the passerby bodily wind, the napkins by Louis Vega Trevino are organized by color and design; systematically hung in an artistic arrangement. With so many napkins on display, Louis says this is only part of his inventory, he claims to have over 60,000 total.

 

Like the generation of artists from Houston, the San Antonio artists have dedicated their lives to their art, working through years, decades and even a lifetime of different artwork series; coupled with a wholesomely pure steadfast of dedication and unquenchable need.

As history will show there is always artists wanting and wanting and inevitably willing to pick up the aesthetic torch of Abstract Art; so, holding true to the same principles and same artistic notions as those who were once chosen to be represented by Leo Castelli and others of the 1950’s and 60’s the older Houstonian artists are passing on the torch to San Antonio. Not only is this new generation paying homage to a monumental epitaph of artistic endurance, but artistically comment on the lessons learned.

As in the older generation of artists in “Op de Muur” the younger artists are continuing that dialogue from Texas, but more specifically San Antonio. Not a dialogue between two cities, but between generations, “Op de Muur” is one of an honest visual interchange- a reverence for the respect of the fellow artist and the dedication to a genre.

 

James Saldivar, Louis Vega Trevino, and James Raska are true and pure abstract painters. Each one of these artists is exploring abstract art through a signature style, but is flexible enough to explore avenues of creative bliss. In essence, these three artists have been highlighted as a safeguard, a guardian of the Holy Grail; an artist pure enough in thought to truly understand and implement the fundamental notions of Abstract and Abstract Expressionism Art.

Located at the Audley Society Gallery in the Museum District, “Op de Muur” has chosen the perfect home to showcase such an exhibition. Once compared to the early days of a hectic, lawless and exuberantly wild Lawndale Art Center by art critic, Catherine Anspon, the Audley Society has its own personal and stylistically attributes that make it the premier exhibition space to house such talent. Grown from an eccentric live/work space the Audley Society Gallery has had to mature fast to live in these large shoes; filling them with stories of art, happenings, concerts, workshops, saloons, and artist talks. The Audley now resides as a serious art venue, one of its own identity.

 

“Op de Muur” showcases the legacy of some artists, highlights up-and-coming ones and does a great job of continuing on the life of the Audley Society.

In conclusion, “Op de Muur” is a solid exhibition three-fold, giving due recognition and respect to the great painters like Michael Hollis and Don Localio, spotlighting those continuing on their artistic vision of Abstraction like James Saldivar and Louis Vega Trevino; and balancing proprietor and owner Linda Marroquin with her own vision of a venue dedicated to the celebration of Art and all its many forms.

© Gabriel Diego Delgado