Artist Statement
My first trip out of my home town was to Mexico City. when I was 5 years old, there are a few things that I remember very clearly: our visit to Teotihuacan; the two pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, with stone carvings of snakes and humans all over the place ,people praying ,people picnicking, people selling all kinds of things; calacas, little Dioses (Aztec Idols) ,hats and Mexican candies. I remember The Cathedral and the magnificence of this building, the smell of old wood, the silence, the sense of the reverence and devotion, the beauty of the saints and angels in the retablo of the central altar. I also remember the grand Zocalo, the Alameda Central, while driving around the city in my Abuelo’s old truck listening to Trio Ballads. This was an enchanted world. As we were walking around downtown Mexico City, I felt a mysterious presence in the air. I remember being so excited because my mom was always telling me tales about everything, I think that stimulated my imagination and all those things contributed to a love for my culture and the ancient Mexico. Since then I have felt a strong connection with my people, and I draw and paint using bright colors inspired by Mexican folk art, and the human body. Rooted in autobiographical details from my childhood and adolescence, you'll find yourself delve into an atmosphere of human pain and vulnerability reminiscent of the ex-voto paintings. My work also includes paintings with reference to poets, music icons and symbols amid vibrant landscapes. In a world of child-like fascination, I like to tell stories through my work and lead the viewer to explore questions of identity and gender. Perhaps my Art can most closely identify with the genre of magical realism.
Armando Sebastian