Contemporary Art

Born February 26, 1915 Jalisco and died January 13, 2006
Anguianoís name is linked to the two most important artistic movements in 20th century Mexico, muralism and the "taller de Grafica Popular" (Popular Graphics Workshop). Both movements share not only an aesthetic proposition but revolutionary conception of the place of art in society. The Mexican School of Painting attempted to make art accessible to the people and depict their reality.
Social Realism found in the style of the Mexican School of Painting which was dominated by him and his contemporaries, Roberto Reyes Perez, Jesus Guerrero Galvan and Diego Rivera.

His most celebrated contribution to the style is found in the Ministry of Public Education in Mexico City. "Encuentro de Dos Mundos o El Mestizaje del Pueblo Mexicano" (Encounter of Two Worlds or the Mestizaje of the Mexican People). The mural compliments his 12 previous murals such as ìEl Mundo Maya" (The World of the Maya) and "La Nuevas Generaciones" (The New Generations). Yet, unlike many of his social realism contemporaries, Anguiano did not stay fixated in the art style. Forever influenced by the Mexican School of Painting, Anguiano stretched his boundaries which skirted the Dali-like surrealism which is seen in his 1937 creation "Cain."
Then the maestro stretched again in his 1949 Mayan jungle trip.

"I found another side of the Mexican people," he said. "They became so part of me it was impossible to ignore."

Perhaps his most defining, certainly his most famous, painting of his career is "La Espina" (The Thorn) finished in 1952.

Using the people and the region as inspiration, "The Thorn" depicts a woman with Indian features who is bending over, intensely concentrating on removing a thorn from her foot. She is surrounded by tree trunks and thatched huts. The scene is, in fact, no more than an ordinary episode from everyday life. Nevertheless, Anguianoís virtuosity is such that he transports the spectator to a world whose laws seem to be inspired by magic.

One of his works was recently acquired by the Vatican entitled "Crucifixion". His work has sold at Sotheby's for $50,000.00. ...

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