Tocando Tierra
Héctor Muñoz-Guzmán5.31.24-7.5.24
In his power, his vulnerability, and his youth, he is both a protector and one to be protected. His love for his land connects him to the Earth and his power lies in the power of the people. As he grows up from a boy to a man, he becomes revolutionary in his thinking through the way he tends to the Earth. In his making he paints, producing vivid scenes charged with his memories and experiences. The artist, worker and revolutionary come together as one, empowering him through an interconnected personal history and larger cultural history. Through the trials and tribulations he faces and how he overcomes them, he fosters an individual perspective and creates a unique representation of himself and his family. His art commemorates generational histories of Mexican culture, putting family into the shoes of heroes, mentors and leaders.
A young man grows older speaking on the wisdom gained. Tocando Tierra, touching Earth. It is the same way he touches the brush and paints gently but with purpose. How the land guides him through the trials of life is how lines come together to construct a face. How the land makes fruits of his efforts, and makes sure he reaps what he sows, his hard work guides him to producing a masterpiece.
The land is our constant, our origin, and our council. It is sacred. For Héctor Muñoz-Guzmán, the red clay soil of Tepatitlán, Jalisco, México grounds and builds up his spirit. The land serves as the site for self reflection and meditation. The Earth and being tied to where we are from, gives strength. The act of painting is the act of revolution in the end.
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Héctor Muñoz-Guzmán (b. 1999) is a first generation, Mexican-American painter and illustrator from South Berkeley, California. Héctor completed his foundation year at Parsons School of Design before transferring to the Rhode Island School of Design painting program for one year. He will be attending UC Berkeley’s Masters of Fine Arts Program in the fall. Héctor lives and works in Oakland, California.
2021
Ink jet print, graphite on Walmart paper.
Maple frame with museum glass.
11 x 8.5 in
2022
Ink jet print, oil maker and graphite on Walmart paper.
Maple frame with museum glass.
11 x 8.5 in
Los Tio's del Norte
2024
Graphite, colored pencil, pen, chalk and acrylic markers on paper.
Maple frame with museum glass.
25 x 19 in
2019 RISD Bipolar Episode
2022
Ink jet print and graphite on Walmart paper.
Maple frame with museum glass.
11 x 8.5 in
2022
Ink jet print and graphite on Walmart paper.
Maple frame with museum glass.
11 x 8.5 in
Yo Soy Joaquín
2019
Oil, acrylic gesso and collage on cardboard.
Maple frame with museum glass.
12 x 9.5 in
2019
Oil, acrylic gesso and collage on cardboard.
Maple frame with museum glass.
12 x 9.5 in
Tiempo Para Pelarnos (Time to Cut Our Hair)
2023
Ink jet print, colored pencil and graphite on paper
Maple frame with museum glass.
15 x 11.5 in
2023
Ink jet print, colored pencil and graphite on paper
Maple frame with museum glass.
15 x 11.5 in
2022
Ink jet print, pencil, pen, acrylic and chalk on Walmart paper.
Maple frame with museum glass.
8.5 x 11 in
Guzmán Liberation
2023
Collaged 1934 Diego Rivera Burning of Judas postcard printed in Mexico City and 2021 Hector Brisa’s Arms postcard.
Pencil, colored pencil, chalk and acrylic paint.
Maple frame with museum glass.
15 x 11.5 in
2023
Collaged 1934 Diego Rivera Burning of Judas postcard printed in Mexico City and 2021 Hector Brisa’s Arms postcard.
Pencil, colored pencil, chalk and acrylic paint.
Maple frame with museum glass.
15 x 11.5 in
HMG Cardboard Study
2019
Ink jet print, colored pencil and screen print on found cardboard.
Maple frame with museum glass.
12 x 9.5 in
2019
Ink jet print, colored pencil and screen print on found cardboard.
Maple frame with museum glass.
12 x 9.5 in
Alfredo “Poki” Muňoz: South Berkeley Legend
2023
Graphite, colored pencil, pen, spray paint, chalk and oil markers on paper.
Maple frame with museum glass.
30 x 22 inches
South Berkeley Olmec Head
Acrylic, oil, chalk, spray paint and oil stick.
84 x 60 in
Cempasúchil Vendedor Vaquero
2023
Chalk, acrylic, oil stick and cement on wood panels.
48 x 36 in
South Berkeley Guerrero
2022
Acrylic paint, spray paint, oil, oil markers, chalk and gesso.
84 x 60 in
Revolution For The Homies
2024
Materials acrylic, cement, soil and glued homies figures on wood panel.
18.5 x 14 in
Documentation by Evan Walsh