The Goldmark Cultural Center’s Norman Brown Gallery proudly presents MEXICANISIMO, an exhibition of acrylic and oil paintings by Armando Sebastian. The exhibition is on display from 2 July 2021 to 7 August 2021. Regular gallery viewing hours are 10am-5pm on weekdays.

An exhibition reception will take place on Saturday, 7/10, from 2-5pm. The artist will present a short talk and guided tour of the exhibition at 3pm.

If you are interested in attending a guided tour with the artist (Saturdays only) contact Armando Sebastian at armandosebastian_art@live.com

My first trip out of my home town was to Mexico City when I was 5 years old, there are a few things that I remember very clearly: our visit to Teotihuacan; the two pyramids of the Sun and the Moon, with stone carvings of snakes and humans all over the place, people praying, people picnicking, people selling all kinds of things. I remember the Cathedral and the Alameda Central while driving in my grandpa’s old truck listening to Trio Ballads. Once when we were walking in downtown Mexico City I felt a mysterious presence in the air, I remember being so excited because my mom was always telling me tales about everything, I think that stimulated my imagination and all those things made me fall in love with my culture and the ancient Mexico.

Since then I have felt a strong connection with my people, and I draw and paint using bright colors inspired by Mexican folk art, and the human body. Rooted in autobiographical details from my childhood and adolescence. I like to tell stories through my work and explore questions of identity and gender, you'll find yourself into the atmosphere of human pain and vulnerability reminiscent of the ex-voto paintings. My work also includes paintings with reference to poets, music icons and symbols amid vibrant landscapes. Perhaps my Art can most closely identify with the genre of magical realism.

-Armando Sebastian