Feliciano Bejar Ruiz

Happy Birthday Feliciano Bejar Ruiz!

Sculptor and painter Feliciano Bejar Ruiz was born in 1970, in rural Jiquilpan, near Lake Chapala. He came from a poor background and initially wanted to become a priest. Bejar was stricken with polio at age eight which affected his left leg and haunted him his whole life. He self-taught himself art and saved money to travel to New York City, but upon arrival thought it ugly! While in New York he met artists and began to sell his own work. After returning to Mexico, an exhibit of his paintings was arranged for New York. Bejar bicycled through Europe, studying and reproducing master artworks.

Although he started as a painter, he became best known for his sculptures, often using scrap and "found" objects and materials. He became fascinated with magiscopes...sculptures filtering light through various glass disks. These creations were meticulously constructed, sometimes taking several years to create, In fact at his death there were over 100 unfinished projects in his studio. He was reclusive toward the end of his life and withdrew from the art world. He was an environmentalist and focused on his ranch for a time but did return to art eventually.

After his death at age 86, Bejar's work was held by his longtime friend and companion, historian Martin Foley.

Below is a photo of his exhibit at The Museum of Light in Mexico City.

Carlos Amorales

Happy Birthday Carlos Amorales!

Born in Mexico City on October 20, 1970, Carlos Amorales is considered a multi-disciplined artist. Since studying in Amsterdam and completing residencies in France and the US, Amorales has worked in various disciplines including video, performance, drawing. painting, sculpture, animation and installation.

His work is displayed in Mexico and abroad, in solo exhibits as well as public collections. The project included here is titled "Black Cloud".

Fernando Gonzales Gortuzar

 Happy Birthday Fernando Gonzalez Gortuzar!

The Mexican architect Fernando Gonzalez Gortuzar was born on October 19, 1942, in Mexico City. He attended University of Guadalajara, earning his degree in architecture, in 1966. He continued his studies in Paris. Gortuzar is considered one of the most influential architects in Mexico. It has been his life mission to fight for the "historical-cultural and ecological-natural heritage of Mexico.

He has an honorary doctorate from the University of Guadalajara and won prizes for his work. Gortuzar has written numerous books and many have been written about him, He has designed projects all over Mexico, including a couple in Spain and one in Japan.

El Centro de Seguridad Publica

Sergio Bustamante

Happy Birthday Sergio Bustamante!

Born in Culiacan, Sinaloa, on October 18,  Sergio Bustamante is a sculptor. He moved to Guadalajara when he was a child and then attended the University of Guadalajara, studying architecture. Early on, Bustamante abandoned architecture, focusing on painting and paper mache figures, but moved on to ceramics and finally, jewelry and even furniture.

The work has surrealistic tendencies and often combines human forms with animal, creating fantasy creatures. Sergio Bustamante's work can be found all over the world.

Jesus Reyes Ferreira

Happy Birthday Jesus Reyes Ferreira!

The artist Jesus Reyes Ferreira, also known as Chucho Reyes, was born on October 17, 1880, in Guadalajara. Largely self-taught, he did study lithography at a print shop.  He grew up in a traditional Mexican home with a central courtyard and connecting buildings with balconies surrounding. His father was an eccentric and Reyes became known as one also in his later years. He became interested in art and when his father left him the home with a large collection of art and antiques, Reyes continued with the profession.

He never intended to be an "artist", he began painting on crepe paper just as a way to decorate the wrapping paper for his collection sales. People began coming to his shop just for the wrapping paper! His work also drew attention of artists such as Picasso and Marc Chagall, however,
and he became known for his naive works. He painted on delicate materials (crepe paper, cardboard, etc), simple figures in bright, bold color schemes. His favored themes were roosters, angels, circus characters, horses, etc., showing a decided influence from Mexican folk art.

He eventually relocated to Mexico City and the childhood home is now a museum.

Jorge Marin

Happy Birthday Jorge Marin!

Born on September 22, 1963 in Michoacan, Jorge Marin is a contemporary sculptor. His father, being an architect, instilled a love for fine arts in him. He comes from a large family of ten siblings and moved to Mexico City when he was only seven years old. Marin studied Graphic Design at UNAM (1980) and then Art Restoration at Escuela Nacional de Conservacion, Restoracion, y Museographia in 1982.

He began with ceramic sculpture but for the past ten or more years has sculpted in bronze. Marin's work focuses on the human figure with centaurs, horses, masks, often balancing on basic shapes such as spheres. He incorporates drama and a baroque style in his creations.

Federico Canessi

Happy Birthday Federico Canessi!

Monumental sculptor Federico Canessi was born on September 25, 1906, in Mexico City. After studying in Mexico, he then traveled to the US and Europe on scholarship in 1924. In addition to his own sculpture, he was a mentor to his step-son Antonio Castellanos (see October 14 post). The two sculptors completed several sculptures in collaboration.

Due to the immensity of his work, all of Canessi's work has Mexico has its home! Supporting this claim...see his sculpture located in Tlapehuala Guerrero Mexico!