Carmen Mondragon

Happy Birthday Carmen Mondragon!

Carmen Mondragon, also known as Nahui Olin, was born July 8, 1893, in Tacabuya (now Mexico City). Her father was a general and invented the Mondragon rifle. Carmen received a privileged education, studied in France and moved to Spain with her family when she was 12. She married and after a time in Paris and Spain where they both took up painting. She and her husband moved to Mexico where they separated. Carmen became a model for various Mexican painters such as Diego Rivera, Tina Mondotti, Roberto Montenegro, etc. and also continued her painting. Her portrait work in the "naive" style was distinguished by very large eyes, which it has been said was also the focal point in her own face.

Fermin Revueltas Sanchez

Happy Birthday Fermin Revueltas Sanchez!

The Mexican muralist Fermin Revueltas Sanchez was born today, July 7, 1901, in Santiago Papasquiaro. His family relocated to the Guadalajara area in 1910 and then in 1917, Fermin and his brother were sent to the US to finish school to avoid the Revolution. When he returned to Mexico he became the director of the Jose Maria Velasco school. Revueltas Sanchez painted several murals during his short lifetime. He was a member of organizations, both art and political, including the first avant-garde movement in Mexico: Stridentism. Fermin Revueltas Sanchez died at the young age of 34, in 1935.

Frida Kahlo

Happy Birthday Frida Kahlo!

The most prestigious woman artist in Mexican history was born today in 1907, in Coyoacan. Left weakened by childhood polio and seriously injured in a bus accident at age 18, Frida abandoned dreams of medical school and pursued her art hobby as a chosen career. Frida became a painter, sometimes, by necessity, working from her bed, focusing primarily on self portraits. Deeply involved in politics, she and her famed husband Diego Rivera often expressed their political views in their art.  

Frida's work as well as her dress became increasingly rooted in Mexican folk art and Mestiza tradition.  (Her mother was of Mestiza descent.) she became known for her flowing skirts, peasant shawls and blouses as well as flamboyant jewelry. 

Kahlo taught at various schools over the years including La Esmeralda. Her style is considered Surrealist with Magic Realism. Sadly, Frida died at age 47, after many, many health complications endured over her lifetime. I was fortunate to visit an exhibit of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera work, photographs and clothing (Frida's) with a good friend, Debbie O'Brien last month at the Heard Museum in Phoenix. The moving image of her ties to Diego Rivera...below...was one on display...

 

Diego on My Mind

Juan O'Gorman

Happy (early) Birthday Juan O'Gorman!

The painter, Juan O'Gorman was born on July 6, 1905, in Coyoacan. His mother was Mexican but his father was an Irish descendent, also a painter. Juan attended the Academy of San Carlos and the National Autonomous University, earning a degree in Art and Architecture. He worked in modern functionalism, the first to introduce the style to Mexico and became a favored architect. One of his most well known projects was the design of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's adjoining houses. He also designed 26 elementary schools across Mexico.

Later in O'Gorman's career he abandoned the true functionalism style and moved toward organic functionalism, which combined the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright and the traditional Mexican style. 

His greatest work is the Central Library at Ciudad Universitaria. It is enhanced with large murals covering the 4 exterior walls, made up of millions of mosaic tiles and stone. The murals depict the past as well as contemporary Mexico.

Felipa Tzeek Naal

Happy Birthday Felipa Tzeek Naal!

This Mexican artisan is the sole preserver and Grand Master of the ancient Mayan art of palm frond weaving. Born in Felipa Tzeek Naal is from the tiny village of Nunkini, in Capeche. The ancient craft has been in existence since before the Conquest and was handed down to Tzeek by her grandmother. The huano palm fronds are gathered while they are still young, green, and shiny, separated, bleached with a sulfur solution and later dyed with natural dyes using the plant chackxin, producing reds and ochres. Along with her daughter, Felipa weaves intricate geometric patterns, creating mats, fans, handled baskets, etc. Being the only family to perpetuate this fine craft, the work must be highly sought after!

Emilia Ortiz Perez

Happy Birthday Emilia Ortiz Perez!

The Mexican woman artist Emilia Ortiz Perez was born in Tepic, in 1917. Her father was from  Oaxaca, her mother from Tepic. Emilia studied painting at the Academy of San Carlos and went on to become a painter specializing in watercolors. She also was a poet, cartoonist and caricaturist. Her work is on permanent display at the museum bearing her name Museo de Emilia Ortiz, in Lerdo, along with other local art.

Sairi Forsman

Happy Birthday Sairi Forsman!

This artist of Danish descent was born in 1964, in Mexico City. She is a sculptor whose work began with Cubist  characteristics. Her style has evolved from Cubism to intertwined figures and shapes to the elongated figures as pictured below. The work of Forsman has been influenced by literature, dance, cinema as well as painting and sculpture. She has exhibited in collective shows and solo shows. Her work has been highlighted in publications and she has won awards and recognitions. Some of the larger pieces are permanently installed in public places.