Arts Alive San Antonio

BY JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor

“Galactic Mayan Gods” is San Antonio Artist Andy Villarreal’s Current Exhibit at Bihl Haus Arts.
One line review: Colorful, imaginative, engaging, and fun.

Tell us about the inspiration behind these fabulous paintings?
I’ve been working on this series for about 20 years though pieces in this exhibition are recent, from this past year. My work deals with the Mesoamerican cultures, primarily the Mayan culture.

My degrees are in drawing and painting, not in anthropology or anything like that, but I am trying to pay homage to the indigenous people of Mexico. What I do is create scenarios – abstract expressions – dealing with different type of issues: issues about culture, about war, about family, about peace, about architecture, history, even the future. The work deals with a lot of different subjects rendered in my own subjective style.

My pieces are narrative, and my titles are very long, sometime two or three sentences but, of course, the viewers are invited to interpret what they see in their own way.

Besides Bihl Haus Arts, where else do you exhibit your work in San Antonio?
I show my work all over the country. I have had 50-something one-person shows in various places, and I have probably been in 200-300 art shows altogether. I had a show in Carlsbad, New Mexico, during the summer that was up for four months. I am having a big one-person show in Laredo, opening on Nov. 4
My wife (artist Elizabeth Rodriguez) and I are also working on a big Day of the Dead altar that will be exhibited at Centro Cultural Aztlan. They invited eight couples to create altars this year. It’s an honor that they asked us. Our altar will honor our fathers.

Is your work included in some prominent collections?

I am in Cheech Marin’s collection in L.A… My work is always for sale but I am not a good businessman. I create art for myself, and when I have a body of work I go out and look for shows. At that time, I am ready to share it with my audience. I am very grateful to show my work at Bihl Haus; it’s a beautiful space. I’ve been trying to get a show there for a long time.

So, what is the price range in this exhibit?
$400 to one painting that’s $16,000. The paintings are all different sizes to accommodate different spaces.

You also teach art, right?
Yes, I teach at the University of the Incarnate Word. I teach drawing and painting. My first love is doing work in my studio but I also enjoy sharing my knowledge with my students.

You are married to an artist, Elizabeth Rodriguez. What are the pros and cons of being married to a fellow artist?
We are actually going to get married in a couple of months. But we have been together for a long time. Sometimes people say that two artists living together is not a good situation because each wants to be in the spotlight, and there are conflicts. For us, it’s not like that. I am her number one supporter and she is my number one supporter. If she gets a grant or something, I am super happy for her. I am stronger because of her she is stronger because of me.

Which museum is your favorite in San Antonio?
The city the size of San Antonio should have about eight to ten museums. Or five or six at least. As for my favorite, I would have to say, the McNay. SAMA is a good museum, too, but it doesn’t support San Antonio artists. I have been offered solo shows in other cities, but I showed only once at SAMA in a group show. Still, I do go there and support it. They bring exhibits from other places. I wish they would be more open to inviting artists from here.

What is next for you?
After the Artist Talk at Bihl Haus on Nov. 2, I am going to have that big show at the Laredo Center for the Arts that I already mentioned. That one opens Nov. 4. I am looking forward to that. Elizabeth and I are also invited to work on a big Calavera, next weekend at La Villita, part of the Day of the Dead Parade (now called SpritLandia).
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Exhibit closes Nov. 15; Bihl Haus Arts, 2803 Fredericksburg Rd., 210-383-9723; www.bihlhausarts.org; Associated events: Nov. 6, 1-4 p.m., Jaguar Mask Workshop; Nov. 13 Gallery Talk with John Philip Santos.
(Photos by J.W.)