Ignacio Aguirre

Happy Birthday Ignacio Aguirre!

Born on December 23, 1900, in San Sebastian, Jalisco, Ignacio Aguirre was a painter and engraver. After fighting in the revolution, working in the mines, and  participating the uprising in favor of Alvaro Obregon, Aguirre studied painting. He went on to work as a scenographer and taught drawing and painting. He helped found various organizations such as Liga de Escritorios y Artistas Revolucionarios and Taller de Grafica Popular.

Aguirre used engraving to promote his political messages. He also painted landscapes and rural folk scenes. In addition to painting, he also created watercolors, drawings, woodcuts and designed tapestries. He exhibited in New York, Europe,and of course, Mexico.

Tren Revolucionario

Salvador Vazquez Carmona

Happy Birthday Salvador Vazquez Carmona!

The Mexican potter, Salvador Vazquez Carmona was born on December 23, 1933, in Tonala, Jalisco. He is known for his style of "brunido", the pottery of the region, which he first learned from his mother when he was 6 years old. Jorge Wilmot was his mentor later, but Carmona's style differed from that of Wilmot. 

"Brunido" is a burnishing process used to finish ceramic wares. The clay is very fine, similar to porcelain and the pieces are not fired, but polished to a sheen. One type of brunido is called "canelo" due to the cinnamon color of the clay (canela means cinnamon in Spanish). Animal and bird shapes are traditionally created and not usually used for food or water since the clay is too porous.

Carmona uses traditional as well as his own unique shapes and designs for the lamps, large flower vases, platters and water jugs he makes. Often the animals appear Surrealistic due to the distortions of the characterisics. His work has been exhibited and in various contests where Carmona has won numerous prizes.

Mauricio Garcia Vega

Happy Birthday Mauricio Garcia Vega!

December 21, 1911, was the birthday of Mexican painter Mauricio Garcia Vega. He began his art study in Barcelona, Spain, then attended Escuela Libre de Arte y Publicidad in Mexico, studying illustration and lithography. His brother, Antonio Garcia Vega is also an artist and the two have collaborated on projects.

Vega's work is often about violence and human decadence, containing distorted chaotic urban landscapes, evoking terror and drama. In addition to painting, he has created sculptures. He was influenced by the German Expressionists and Goya's "Black Paintings". Vega has had numerous solo and collective exhibitions and won awards and prizes.

Mario Pani

Happy Birthday Mario Pani!

Mexican architect, Mario Pani, was born March 29, 1911, in Mexico City. He studied architecture and urban planning in France and at the National Autonomous University, in Mexico. Following his education, Pani went on to introduce the "international style" to Mexico. He became an important urban planner for Mexico City, helping develop plans for the 20th century.

In additio to his work in architecure, Pani also founded the National College of Achitects (1946) as well as the journal Achitectura Mexico. His son, Knut was also an artist. Pani lived to be 81 years of age, credited with envisioning the character and appearance of modern day's Mexico City.

Jose Horna

Happy Birthday Jose Horna!

Born in 1912, Jose Horna was originally from Spain. He was educated at San Fernando Academy in Madrid. While working at Umbral magazinee met his wife  artist Kati Horna. When the Spanish Civil War erupted, the couple fled to Paris where they worked together for the magazine Agence Photo. Once again they were forced to run from war when the Nazis occupied France, this time to Mexico in 1939.

Horna worked in advertising and in collaboration architect Carlos Lazlo on the design of the University City. He also was responsible for helping popularize found object art in Mexico.

Sandra Pani

Happy Birthday Sandra Pani!

Mexican artist Sandra Pani was born on December 18, 1964, in Mexico City. She showed an interest in painting and music as a child, took lessons and even studied in Europe. Pani enrolled in the National School of Fine Arts in Mexico and began showing her work while still in school.

Her work is figurative but with some abstraction, on the human body as well as forms from nature such as plant life. Often her figures transform into trees or flowers. The paintings have a "drawn" poetic quality with so much empty space, beckoning the viewer in to rest. Most are monochromatic with just touches of color.

Pani has won awards and critics have written favorably about her work. She has had over 20 solo exhibits.

Francisco J. Serrano

Happy Birthday Francisco J. Serrano!

The civil engineer and architect, Francisco J. Serrano, was born on March 12, 1900, in Mexico City. He studied at Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. Later Serrano became a professor at the same university. He also worked on research dealing with climate change and the effects on architecture. His son also became an architect.

Edificio Basurto