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César A. Martínez: Mi Gente

Past exhibition
November 4, 2021 - February 18, 2022 New York City
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Overview
Artwork Image: César A. Martínez, Bato Con Sunglasses, 2021, Acrylic on Muslin, 28 x 22 in, 71.1 x 55.9 cm
César A. Martínez, Bato Con Sunglasses, 2021, Acrylic on Muslin, 28 x 22 in, 71.1 x 55.9 cm

Ruiz-Healy Art is pleased to announce César A. Martínez: Mi Gente an exhibition of paintings and drawings of Martinez’s iconic cast of Batos, Pachucos, and Rucas. This is the artist’s second solo exhibition with the gallery. 


A major figure in the Chicano Art Movement of the late 1970s and 1980s, Martínez’s portraits are icons of Mexican American art history. Martínez was a teenager during the early 1960s in his hometown, Laredo, Texas where Pachucos (zoot suiters), Batos (dudes), and Rucas (girls) were part of his everyday life.


Martínez is drawn to the way in which Mexican American family photographs served as intimate, personal portraits, during a time when only white individuals or groups were being iconized in paintings. Martínez offsets his melancholic subjects against a vibrant palette of clothes in tension against abstract backgrounds. The individuals in Martínez’s works are merely hybrids derived and elaborated from many different photographs found in high school yearbooks, obituaries, newspapers, and other public sources.


Martínez explains “I’ve never really done art that I would say is political. But I think the kind of art that becomes politicized, as in my case and in many of my contemporaries, is simply because it had a Chicano perspective or Chicano imagery. The Chicano Movement was a renaissance in thinking about us and in creating those institutions and images and writings that reflected who we are. They were non-existent at that time, we had nothing to relate to, so we had to make it up as we went along. And that was the road to a deeper understanding of who we are.”


Complementing his iconic cast of Batos, Pachucos, and Rucas paintings, César A. Martínez: Mi Gente also features a suite of his Serape paintings from 1980 and portrait drawings that have served as a source of inspiration and invention for Martínez’s most recent paintings. Martínez states, “The new paintings reflect the spirit of the drawings more and more and I couldn't be happier because evolution is a good thing, and that has been happening in different ways. The characters in the Bato/Pachuco series have, over the years, acquired more and more particularity, and much more so now with the new drawings.” Inspiration for the Serape paintings started, in the late 1960s, as an ode to the Color Field movement and as a reaction to contemporary art from a cultural standpoint. Martínez comments that upon seeing the work of Gene Davis he reacted: “These are like serapes!” The series was an epiphany of sorts though he did not realize it at the time and inspired the artist to create his own Serape Series.


About the Artist
César A. Martínez (b. 1944, Laredo, TX) is a contemporary artist who lives and works in San Antonio Texas. His artwork allows him to explore his multicultural identity and provide familiarity to those often not represented in the arts. Martínez’s work has been included in landmark exhibits like Hispanic Art in the United States: Thirty Contemporary Painters & Sculptors; La Frontera/The Border: Art About the Mexican/U.S. Border Experience; and Chicano Art: Resistance and Affirmation 1965-1985. He was honored with a solo exhibition, and accompanying book, at the McNay Art Museum, San Antonio, Texas in 2009. His work has been exhibited and is part of the permanent collection of institutions like the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC.; Brooklyn Art Museum, Brooklyn, NY; Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City; LACMA, Los Angeles, CA; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Chicago, IL. among others.

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Works
  • César A. Martínez Bato Con Sunglasses, 2021 Acrylic on Muslin 28 x 22 in 71.1 x 55.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Bato Con Sunglasses, 2021
    Acrylic on Muslin
    28 x 22 in
    71.1 x 55.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Sra Farias During the 1930's, 2014 Acrylic on paper 26 x 22.4 in 66 x 56.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Sra Farias During the 1930's, 2014
    Acrylic on paper
    26 x 22.4 in
    66 x 56.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Simon Novoa, 2021 Acrylic on Cotton Drill 28 x 22 in 71.1 x 55.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Simon Novoa, 2021
    Acrylic on Cotton Drill
    28 x 22 in
    71.1 x 55.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez La Tortuga, 2021 Acrylic on Muslin 28 x 22 in 71.1 x 55.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    La Tortuga, 2021
    Acrylic on Muslin
    28 x 22 in
    71.1 x 55.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Veterano Con Gold Tooth, 2006 Acrylic on paper 30 x 22.4 in 76.2 x 56.8 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Veterano Con Gold Tooth, 2006
    Acrylic on paper
    30 x 22.4 in
    76.2 x 56.8 cm
  • César A. Martínez Simon Novoa Study, 2021 Acrylic on Muslin 14 x 11 in 35.6 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Simon Novoa Study, 2021
    Acrylic on Muslin
    14 x 11 in
    35.6 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Red Bato, 2021 Acrylic on Muslin 14 x 11 in 35.6 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Red Bato, 2021
    Acrylic on Muslin
    14 x 11 in
    35.6 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Sra Rivas During the 1930's , 2014 Acrylic on paper 26 x 22.4 in 66 x 56.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Sra Rivas During the 1930's , 2014
    Acrylic on paper
    26 x 22.4 in
    66 x 56.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Meme Chavira, 2021 Acrylic on muslin 14 x 11 in 35.6 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Meme Chavira, 2021
    Acrylic on muslin
    14 x 11 in
    35.6 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Veterano, 2021 Acrylic on Cotton Drill 28 x 22 in 71.1 x 55.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Veterano, 2021
    Acrylic on Cotton Drill
    28 x 22 in
    71.1 x 55.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Shorty, 2016 Mixed media on paper 30 x 22.3 in 76.2 x 56.5 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Shorty, 2016
    Mixed media on paper
    30 x 22.3 in
    76.2 x 56.5 cm
  • César A. Martínez Veterano, 2020 Acrylic on canvas 54 x 44 x 1.75 in 137.16 x 111.76 x 4.445 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Veterano, 2020
    Acrylic on canvas
    54 x 44 x 1.75 in
    137.16 x 111.76 x 4.445 cm
  • César A. Martínez Bato Con Guayabera , 2009 Acrylic on canvas 44 x 44 in 111.8 x 111.8 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Bato Con Guayabera , 2009
    Acrylic on canvas
    44 x 44 in
    111.8 x 111.8 cm
  • César A. Martínez El Chino Najera, 2021 Acrylic on muslin 14 x 11 in 35.6 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    El Chino Najera, 2021
    Acrylic on muslin
    14 x 11 in
    35.6 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Serape: De Colores, 1980 Acrylic and graphite on paper 22.25 x 30 in 56.51 x 76.2 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Serape: De Colores, 1980
    Acrylic and graphite on paper
    22.25 x 30 in
    56.51 x 76.2 cm
  • César A. Martínez Serape: De Colores, 1980 Acrylic and graphite on paper 22.25 x 30 in 56.51 x 76.2 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Serape: De Colores, 1980
    Acrylic and graphite on paper
    22.25 x 30 in
    56.51 x 76.2 cm
  • César A. Martínez Serape: La Tuna, 2010 Acrylic on paper 19.75 x 26 in 50.16 x 60 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Serape: La Tuna, 2010
    Acrylic on paper
    19.75 x 26 in
    50.16 x 60 cm
  • César A. Martínez Serape: Red/Brown, 2010 Acrylic on paper 22.35 x 30 in 56.77 x 76.2 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Serape: Red/Brown, 2010
    Acrylic on paper
    22.35 x 30 in
    56.77 x 76.2 cm
  • César A. Martínez Serape: Sombra Verde, 2010 Acrylic on paper 22.37 x 30 in 56.83 x 76.2 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Serape: Sombra Verde, 2010
    Acrylic on paper
    22.37 x 30 in
    56.83 x 76.2 cm
  • César A. Martínez Serape: Tunas, 2010 Acrylic on paper 19.75 x 26 in 50.16 x 66 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Serape: Tunas, 2010
    Acrylic on paper
    19.75 x 26 in
    50.16 x 66 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (11Aug21), 2021 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (11Aug21), 2021
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (14Jul21), 2021 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (14Jul21), 2021
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (28Jul21), 2021 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (28Jul21), 2021
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (11Jun20), 2020 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (11Jun20), 2020
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (4Oct19), 2019 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (4Oct19), 2019
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (4Jun21), 2021 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (4Jun21), 2021
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (8Oct21), 2021 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (8Oct21), 2021
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (6Oct21), 2021 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (6Oct21), 2021
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (22Oct19), 2019 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (22Oct19), 2019
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (29Aug19), 2019 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (29Aug19), 2019
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (30Oct20), 2020 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (30Oct20), 2020
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (4Aug21), 2021 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (4Aug21), 2021
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (24Oct20), 2020 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (24Oct20), 2020
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (22Nov19), 2019 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (22Nov19), 2019
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (6Jul21), 2021 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (6Jul21), 2021
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (28Sept21), 2021 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (28Sept21), 2021
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (24Oct20), 2020 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (24Oct20), 2020
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (22Jun21), 2021 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (22Jun21), 2021
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (12Oct21), 2021 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (12Oct21), 2021
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (11Sept20), 2020 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (11Sept20), 2020
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (8Jun20), 2020 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (8Jun20), 2020
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
  • César A. Martínez Untitled (4Oct21), 2021 Graphite on Stonehenge paper 15 x 11 in 38.1 x 27.9 cm
    César A. Martínez
    Untitled (4Oct21), 2021
    Graphite on Stonehenge paper
    15 x 11 in
    38.1 x 27.9 cm
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Installation Views
  • Ruiz Healy Cesar A Martinez O0A5608 3
  • Ruiz Healy Cesar A Martinez O0A5563 2
  • Ruiz Healy Cesar A Martinez O0A5545
  • Ruiz Healy Cesar A Martinez O0A5482
  • Ruiz Healy Cesar A Martinez O0A5506
  • Ruiz Healy Cesar A Martinez O0A5503
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Press
  • Patricia Ruiz-Healy poses with San Antonio-born artist Alejandro Diaz in her New York City gallery.

    Patricia Ruiz-Healy champions Latinx and South Texas artists in both San Antonio and Manhattan

    Bryan Rindfuss, San Antonio Current, November 4, 2022
    This link opens in a new tab.
  • Installation view of “César A. Martínez: En Mi Casa” at the Laredo Center for the Arts. Photo by Liz Kim.

    A Deserved Homecoming: César A. Martínez at the Laredo Center for the Arts

    Liz Kim, Glasstire, January 19, 2022
    This link opens in a new tab.
Publications
  • César A. Martínez: Mi Gente

    César A. Martínez: Mi Gente

    Essay by Rodrigo Moura 2022 Hardcover 34 pages
    Publisher: Ruiz-Healy Art
    ISBN: 9798210026057
    Dimensions: 8×10 in, 20×25 cm
    Read more

Related artist

  • César A. Martínez

    César A. Martínez

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