Based in New York, Alejandro Diaz was born and raised in San Antonio, TX, and lived in Mexico City for several years. Diaz developed a distinctive and relevant body of work that exemplifies the complex and visually rich cultural environment specific to Mexico and South Texas. The artist states, “All that culture of making do and being resourceful, Rasquachismo aesthetic, with materials had a huge influence on me.” In his painting Xochimilco, Diaz merges two influences—abstract expressionism and found objects—with the title referencing a borough just south of Mexico City known for its canals. These waterways are remnants of an extensive lake and canal system built by the Aztecs that connected most settlements in the Valley of Mexico.

"The next artwork, Xochimilco, also explores identity and place. Xochimilco is one of San Antonio-native Alejandro Diaz’s object paintings. Diaz’s acrylic strokes blend abstraction and reality, suggesting connections in nature through webs. He also incorporates elements of everyday life through buttons scattered across the canvas. In their press release, Ruiz-Healy Art states that with this exhibition, they invite the audience to “consider their relationship with the planet and forge a deeper connection.” I resonated with this call to action when viewing Xochimilco. The artwork evokes nostalgia; it reminds me of my grandmothers’ South Texas homes—inside, you can find multicolored trinkets like buttons, tucked away inside old jewelry boxes. Both homes are surrounded by humid air and hardy plants that thrive in the harsh Texas climate.” Glasstire writer, Christopher Karr