Prototype Issue
The Guardian of Chicano Art
By Judi Jordan and Juan Rodriguez
(page 2 of 2)Is there a difference between the older generation and newer generation? As a general rule, yes. First generation and second generation were producing very political art, very clearly referenced Chicano iconography, very clearly referenced scenes. And when you speak to them you find that a lot of them would like to move away from it, but can’t.
When they try, people are shocked, people are disturbed. People say, “That doesn’t look like your other stuff.” In order to be understood, to keep selling, established artists will stick to what the have been doing. That’s one of the big tragedies.
Are Chicano painters mostly moved by politics? All art is political. Regardless of what their genre is. They’re painting from a perspective of what is going on in their environment at the time. That’s a constant.
Do you have a special connection to any one piece? Oh no, they’re all our babies! There’s a story to each piece. The way we acquire a piece is by falling in love with the piece. That’s the way; you have to know yourself well enough to know. Just because somebody says, “Buy that,” doesn’t mean I will. If everybody else hates it, that doesn’t matter. We’ve proven that enough times in this house.
How do you know when to buy a piece? It’s a feeling that comes to me very literally right here in my forehead in the middle of my eyes, when I see something that is perfect. It stays right here, and I can’t get it out of my mind. Then I know that I gotta have that one.
How did you discover your passion for collecting? It’s not a passion for collecting.
Is it a hobby? (Shuddering) No, no, it’s not that.
Are you an art lover? Definitely, an art lover. But in the sense that in a lot of ways it’s a mission. It’s not just that we love art and that we love artworks, it’s collecting a body of work that’s telling a story—today’s story of the Chicano community. We can lead to posterity as part of that narrative.
And so this is what that community was going through at that time, we can see this story develop. Some psychoanalyst can tell you that it comes from a need. I can tell you where it comes from: It comes from not having anything when I grew up. I truly love the works. I’m truly grateful to the artists who produce them. I really admire the artists and hope to keep doing it for a while.
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