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De aquí y de allá: Frank Romero, A Survey

Past exhibition
December 5, 2024 - January 25, 2025 San Antonio
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Overview
Installation Images by Charlie Kitchen
Installation Images by Charlie Kitchen

Ruiz-Healy Art is pleased to present De aquí y de allá: Frank Romero, A Survey, a concurrent solo exhibition of works by Los Angeles-based artist Frank Romero, curated by Rafael Barrientos Martínez at our New York City and San Antonio galleries. De aquí y de allá: Frank Romero, A Survey, will be on view at our San Antonio gallery from Thursday, December 5th, 2024, to January 25th, 2025. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, December 5th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at our San Antonio gallery. A conversation with the former director of the Los Angeles Craft and Folk Art Museum, Patrick Ela, artist Frank Romero, and curator Rafael Barrientos Martínez will take place on Saturday, December 7th, from 1:30 to 2:30 PM, followed by a book signing presentation of Dreamland: A Frank Romero Retrospective (Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, 2017). This collection of work unravels the cultural mosaic of Romero's lived history as a pioneer of the Chicano/a movement, encompassing a variety of visual narratives influenced by his hometown of Los Angeles, California, and his travels across the greater American Southwest. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the influential Chicano art collective Los Four, of which Romero was an original member. The group helped redefine Mexican American artistic expression and bring attention to Chicano art in an institutional setting.

 

Throughout his over 60-year career as an artist, Frank Romero has been a dedicated contributor to the Los Angeles arts community. As a founding member of the 1970s Chicano art collective, Los Four, Romero and fellow artists Carlos Almaraz, Beto de la Rocha, and Gilbert “Magu” Luján helped define and promote new Mexican American awareness through murals, publications, and exhibitions at the peak of multiple political movements such as El Movimiento. Los Four's historic 1974 exhibition at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) marked the country's first show of Chicano art at a major art institution. De aquí y de allá features Por El Pueblo, a mural created in 1981 in conjunction with the exhibition Murals of Aztlán: The Street Painters of East Los Angeles at the Craft and Folk Art Museum (Los Angeles, CA), which Romero also curated. Barrientos Martínez shares, “Por El Pueblo reflects a diverse cast of signs and symbols that belong to a coded pictographic language first developed by the artist in the early 1970s. From a family pet to an unbridled horse, a military warplane to a 1920s Chevy, an oversized corazón to a nopal cactus, these icons, along with a stylized rollcall of family members names, are painted atop a large spread of cool hues with inclusions of deep red shades. Romero’s motifs represent familiar surroundings within the range of Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles to Arroyo Seco in Taos, New Mexico, pulling from his communal and personal record as a love letter to his culture and region composed in the tongue of his visual vocabulary.”

 

Outside of his neighborhood of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, the artist found a home in Arroyo Seco near Taos, New Mexico, during the 1980s and 90s with his then-wife, artist Nancy Romero. Surrounded by a community of artists that included Lee Mullican and Luchita Hurtado, Larry Bell, and Ken Price, Romero was catapulted into the world of textiles, ceramics, folk art, wood sculptures, and the overall zeitgeist of the American Southwest. "Having built his own adobe home with the help of members of the Taos Pueblo, Romero would apply lessons taught to him by his new friends to create a series of rarely exhibited earthworks that bridge land and gallery. The Adobe Series exemplifies an important period in his practice where his work becomes intertwined with craft traditions native to regions and towns throughout the greater United States Southwest and Northern Mexico, including ceramics, wool, and wood carving. A voracious collector of Mexican and Indigenous American textiles, these patterned fabrics become the backdrops for Romero's still-life paintings, evoking a sense of multiculturalism inherent to both his upbringing, the spaces in which he has occupied, and the characters he has met along the way," explains Barrientos Martínez.

 

Romero's massive and vibrant painting Recuerdo captures a tapestry of imagery rooted in LA's urban culture, Hollywood cinema, and Mexican American heritage. Recuerdo, which translates to remembrance, is a large-scale, oil on canvas work that harmonizes Romero's cinematic narrative with color along with his habitual iconography of cars, hearts, cowboys, and more. Since the start of his artistic career, Romero has been interested in the importance of community-based murals and graffiti, noting that this type of public art is a way of communicating ideas. Through this ability to communicate with the public, Romero was fearless in experimenting with color, fueled by the cultural density of the surrounding community. 


Romero's work invites viewers to explore the intricacies of cultural narratives, commenting on the intersections between heritage, Chicanidad, and region. "In these works, dating to an important period for Chicano art where the visual program meant for a particular community began to be seen and collected far beyond its borders, Romero communicates to his viewers using his coded language that is both deeply personal but altogether universal in its relationship to the every day." - Rafael Barrientos Martínez.

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Works
  • Frank Romero Recuerdo, 1982 Oil on canvas 70 x 109 in 177.8 x 276.9 cm
    Frank Romero
    Recuerdo, 1982
    Oil on canvas
    70 x 109 in
    177.8 x 276.9 cm
  • Frank Romero Chicano Iconography, 1977 Gouache on paper 17.625 x 22.75 in 44.8 x 57.8 cm
    Frank Romero
    Chicano Iconography, 1977
    Gouache on paper
    17.625 x 22.75 in
    44.8 x 57.8 cm
  • Frank Romero Por El Pueblo, 1981 Acrylic on canvas 143 x 250 in 363.2 x 635 cm
    Frank Romero
    Por El Pueblo, 1981
    Acrylic on canvas
    143 x 250 in
    363.2 x 635 cm
  • Frank Romero Tres Pistolas (Mural Study), 1972 Ink on paper 13.125 x 22.625 in 33.3 x 57.5 cm
    Frank Romero
    Tres Pistolas (Mural Study), 1972
    Ink on paper
    13.125 x 22.625 in
    33.3 x 57.5 cm
  • Frank Romero Untitled (Black Drawings), 1971 Ink on paper 22.625 x 28.625 in 57.5 x 72.7 cm
    Frank Romero
    Untitled (Black Drawings), 1971
    Ink on paper
    22.625 x 28.625 in
    57.5 x 72.7 cm
  • Frank Romero Six Gun and Tea Pot (Mural Study), 1972 Ink on paper 13.125 x 22.625 in 33.3 x 57.5 cm
    Frank Romero
    Six Gun and Tea Pot (Mural Study), 1972
    Ink on paper
    13.125 x 22.625 in
    33.3 x 57.5 cm
  • Frank Romero Chicano Iconography, 1992 Mixografía® monoprint on handmade paper 29 x 29 in 73.7 x 73.7 cm
    Frank Romero
    Chicano Iconography, 1992
    Mixografía® monoprint on handmade paper
    29 x 29 in
    73.7 x 73.7 cm
  • Frank Romero Los Four: Almaraz / de la Rocha / Lujan / Romero, 1974 Artist's Book designed by Frank Romero Produced at the School of Fine Arts, University of California, Irvine 1500 copies printed by Toyo Printing Los Angeles Photographs are by Frank Romero and Hal Glicksman First Edition 1500. One continuous 10 x 118" sheet printed recto only
    Frank Romero
    Los Four: Almaraz / de la Rocha / Lujan / Romero, 1974
    Artist's Book designed by Frank Romero
    Produced at the School of Fine Arts, University of California, Irvine
    1500 copies printed by Toyo Printing Los Angeles
    Photographs are by Frank Romero and Hal Glicksman
    First Edition 1500. One continuous 10 x 118" sheet printed recto only
  • Frank Romero Recuerdo (design for reflection pool Warner Center, LA), 1982 Acrylic and cut paper collage 15.125 x 80 in 38.4 x 203.2 cm
    Frank Romero
    Recuerdo (design for reflection pool Warner Center, LA), 1982
    Acrylic and cut paper collage
    15.125 x 80 in
    38.4 x 203.2 cm
  • Frank Romero Adobe Series – Tierra roja, Set 2, 1995/2024 Soil, acrylic, chicken wire on wood 24 x 24 x 2.5 60.9 x 60.9 x 6.3 cm
    Frank Romero
    Adobe Series – Tierra roja, Set 2, 1995/2024
    Soil, acrylic, chicken wire on wood
    24 x 24 x 2.5
    60.9 x 60.9 x 6.3 cm
  • Frank Romero Adobe Series – Tierra café claro, Set 2, 1995/2024 Soil, acrylic, chicken wire on wood 24 x 24 x 2.5 60.9 x 60.9 x 6.3 cm
    Frank Romero
    Adobe Series – Tierra café claro, Set 2, 1995/2024
    Soil, acrylic, chicken wire on wood
    24 x 24 x 2.5
    60.9 x 60.9 x 6.3 cm
  • Frank Romero Adobe Series – ocre oscuro, Set 2, 1995/2024 Soil, acrylic, chicken wire on wood 24 x 24 x 2.5 60.9 x 60.9 x 6.3 cm
    Frank Romero
    Adobe Series – ocre oscuro, Set 2, 1995/2024
    Soil, acrylic, chicken wire on wood
    24 x 24 x 2.5
    60.9 x 60.9 x 6.3 cm
  • Frank Romero La Pistola, 2009 Acrylic on canvas 8 x 10 in 20.3 x 25.4 cm
    Frank Romero
    La Pistola, 2009
    Acrylic on canvas
    8 x 10 in
    20.3 x 25.4 cm
  • Frank Romero Randolph Scott, 2009 Oil on linen 20 x 24 in 50.8 x 61 cm
    Frank Romero
    Randolph Scott, 2009
    Oil on linen
    20 x 24 in
    50.8 x 61 cm
  • Frank Romero Natura Morta with Pingo y Calavera, 2020 Acrylic on canvas 36 x 48 x 2 in 91.4 x 121.9 x 5.1 cm
    Frank Romero
    Natura Morta with Pingo y Calavera, 2020
    Acrylic on canvas
    36 x 48 x 2 in
    91.4 x 121.9 x 5.1 cm
  • Frank Romero Adobe Series – Tierra negra, Set 2, 1995/2024 Soil, acrylic, chicken wire on wood 24 x 24 x 2.5 60.9 x 60.9 x 6.3 cm
    Frank Romero
    Adobe Series – Tierra negra, Set 2, 1995/2024
    Soil, acrylic, chicken wire on wood
    24 x 24 x 2.5
    60.9 x 60.9 x 6.3 cm
  • Frank Romero Pingolandia, 1982 Ceramic, earth soil on wood 49.75 x 62.25 x 62.25 in 126.4 x 158.1 x 158.1 cm
    Frank Romero
    Pingolandia, 1982
    Ceramic, earth soil on wood
    49.75 x 62.25 x 62.25 in
    126.4 x 158.1 x 158.1 cm
  • Frank Romero Adobe Series – Tierra blanca, Set 2, 1995/2024 Soil, acrylic, chicken wire on wood 24 x 24 x 2.5 60.9 x 60.9 x 6.3 cm
    Frank Romero
    Adobe Series – Tierra blanca, Set 2, 1995/2024
    Soil, acrylic, chicken wire on wood
    24 x 24 x 2.5
    60.9 x 60.9 x 6.3 cm
  • Frank Romero Chicano Iconography, 1992 Mixografía® monoprint on handmade paper 29.625 x 20.125 in 75.2 x 51.1 cm
    Frank Romero
    Chicano Iconography, 1992
    Mixografía® monoprint on handmade paper
    29.625 x 20.125 in
    75.2 x 51.1 cm
  • Frank Romero Chicano Iconography, 1992 Mixografía® monoprint on handmade paper 30 x 20.5 in 76.2 x 52.1 cm
    Frank Romero
    Chicano Iconography, 1992
    Mixografía® monoprint on handmade paper
    30 x 20.5 in
    76.2 x 52.1 cm
  • Frank Romero Chicano Iconography, 1992 Mixografía® monoprint on handmade paper 29.5 x 20.25 in 74.9 x 51.4 cm
    Frank Romero
    Chicano Iconography, 1992
    Mixografía® monoprint on handmade paper
    29.5 x 20.25 in
    74.9 x 51.4 cm
  • Frank Romero Nopal, 2024 Acrylic on wood 28.75 x 16 x 8 in 73 x 40.6 x 20.3 cm
    Frank Romero
    Nopal, 2024
    Acrylic on wood
    28.75 x 16 x 8 in
    73 x 40.6 x 20.3 cm
  • Frank Romero Serape de Madera con Azul, 2024 Acrylic on wood 28.5 x 47 x 2 in 72.4 x 119.4 x 5.1 cm
    Frank Romero
    Serape de Madera con Azul, 2024
    Acrylic on wood
    28.5 x 47 x 2 in
    72.4 x 119.4 x 5.1 cm
  • Frank Romero Nopal, 2024 Acrylic on wood 61 x 34.25 x 23.5 in 154.9 x 87 x 59.7 cm
    Frank Romero
    Nopal, 2024
    Acrylic on wood
    61 x 34.25 x 23.5 in
    154.9 x 87 x 59.7 cm
Installation Views
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
  • Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
    Installation images by Charlie Kitchen
Press
  • Frank Romero next to his work, The Adobe Series, 1995/2024 and Chicano Iconography, 1992 at De aquí y de allá: Frank Romero, A Survey, Ruiz-Healy Art, San Antonio. Image by Lauren Perales.

    Ruiz-Healy Art now representing Frank Romero

    Artdaily, March 21, 2025
  • Frank Romero, “Por El Pueblo,” 1981, acrylic on canvas, 143 × 250 inches

    Ruiz-Healy’s 40-year Frank Romero Survey Traces Early & Ancient Roots of Chicano Art

    Nicholas Frank, Glasstire, March 5, 2025
  • Frank Romero, Recuerdo, 1982, Signed and dated top center, titled left center, Oil on canvas, 70 x 109 in, 177.8 x 276.9 cm

    De aquí y de allá: A View of Los Angeles in San Antonio | Frank Romero

    Christopher Karr, ReVista: Harvard Review of Latin America, January 20, 2025
  • The Year in Latinx Art: Continued Museum and Biennial Support Bolstered by New Market Interest | Frank Romero

    Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews, December 31, 2024
  • Frank Romero, Pistola y Calavera, 2023-4, Signed and dated top left, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 in, 91.4 x 121.9 cm

    Must See: “De aquí y de allá: Frank Romero, A Survey” at Ruiz-Healy Art New York

    Artforum, December 17, 2024
  • Chicano Artist Frank Romero’s Concurrent Solo Exhibition Criss-Crosses The U.S.

    Dr. Ricardo Romo, La Prensa Texas, December 15, 2024
  • Frank Romero, Natura Morta with Pingo y Calavera, 2020, Signed and dated top left, Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48 in, 91.4 x 121.9 cm

    Chicano Artist Frank Romero’s Concurrent Solo Exhibition Criss-Crosses The U.S.

    Dr. Ricardo Romo, Latinos in America : Substack, December 11, 2024
Publications
  • De Aquí y de Allá: Frank Romero, A Survey I Ruiz-Healy Art

    De Aquí y de Allá: Frank Romero, A Survey I Ruiz-Healy Art

    Essay by Rafael Barrientos Martínez 2024 Read more

Related artist

  • Frank Romero

    Frank Romero

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Ruiz-Healy Art, San Antonio

Open Wednesday - Saturday from 11AM to 4PM and by appointment | 210.804.2219

201-A East Olmos Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78212 

 

Ruiz-Healy Art, New York

Open Wednesday - Friday from 11AM to 5PM and by appointment | 646.833.7709

74 East 79th Street, 2D, New York, New York 10075

  

 

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