Contemporary Art Spotlight – Artists You Should Know Now
San Antonio is rich in all sorts of beauty, culture, history and sense of place as its metamorphosis continues. Evidence of San Antonio’s creative voice is most evident in the works of local artists and their interpretations of art. March is recognized as Contemporary Art Month (CAM) and seeks to promote and raise the national profile of San Antonio contemporary art and artists. In celebration of CAM, we shine the spotlight on three artists each bringing their unique flavor and style to the Alamo City and beyond.
Jorge Puron http://www.jorgepuron.net Instagram - Jorge Puron Artist
Work available at his studio: 527 E. Laurel, San Antonio, TX 78212
Representation: Anarte Gallery, San Antonio, TX
Jorge Puron, a self-informed painter born in Northeast Mexico, lives and works in San Antonio, Texas. Influenced by his life on both sides of the border in the U.S. and Mexico, his mixed-media work often reflects expressive, opposing emotions: Gaiety and depression; delight and hysteria; love and loss, even war and peace. Using paint, ink, cloth, photography and scraps from past works he creates dreamy narratives and painterly expressions. In contrast, some of his works are commanding, starkly hard-edged geometrics.
Puron is a co-founder and coordinator of an artist’s program for nearly 15 years in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato and is an advisor to the Municipal Council of Culture in Piedras Negras. In 2013 he received the Erick Schaudies Memorial Award at K Space Contemporary in Corpus Christi, Texas; the top prize for Third Coast National juried exhibition.
He has worked on numerous commissions and participated in over 100 solo and group shows over the past 18 years. His work is part of private and corporate collections in North America and Europe. In May catch him in two big exhibits. One is at K space Contemporary in Corpus Christi; a 3-man show titled "Killing It.” The other exhibit will be at Brownsville Museum of Fine Art. This show is titled "Un/provincial" and will showcase eight artists who currently live and work or are originally from the Texas /Mexico border area.
Left: CasaMatriz #3 Right: Vector 78910 Multi Panel
Selected Collections: Sheperd Kaplan-San Antonio, TX, Marc F. Wiegand, Attorney at Law-San Antonio TX, Friedrich Building-San Antonio, TX, Bird C- Vienna Austria, United States Consular Agency- Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, Secretria de Hacienda SAC-Piedras Negras Coahuila, Clinica Mexico-Piedras Negras Coahuila Mexico, Hospital Civil-Piedras Negras Coahuila Mexico, Law Offices of Patrick Wright-Dallas, TX
Margaret Craig http://www.margaretcraig.com
niwont@yahoo.com for studio appointments
Representation: REM Gallery, San Antonio, TX, Central Booking, New York, NY, Gray Duck Gallery, Austin TX
Margaret Craig’s educational influence is evident in her organic art works. In addition to a BS in Art, MA in Painting, and a MFA in Printmaking, she has a degree in Biology Secondary Education. Currently she is Professor and Chair of Printmaking at the Southwest School of Art in San Antonio, TX.
Her work is derived from printmaking methods; mixed media with or without support, and prints stretched over forms using a techniques she developed. Her work is about the manipulation of form that transforms the idea; a recreation of multilayered processes found in nature. Her degree in biology informs her work. As Craig describes, “The underlying imagery for me is about other worlds, and the portals between; worlds under the microscope or among the stars, drains, conduits and black holes.”
Her work often reflects other biological themes, skins, translucent membranes, disembodied hands, skeletal structures and natural environments. “I create synthetic natural processes, think pond scum or the dry earth cracking, in the service of my own making.”
Craig invented Tar Gel Pressless Etching and has demonstrated that and other techniques at the Society of American Graphic Artists and Mid-America Print Council conferences. She is often involved in trade portfolios and exhibits locally and nationally; recently participating in the China Sanbao International Printmaking Exhibition and Symposium and the Southern Graphics Council International traveling members print exhibition. Her work is currently on view in Mesa Arizona at the i.d.e.a. Museum and in collaboration of Houston Curator, Ken General, she will be featured one of three artist in his space at the Busan Art Fair in South Korea in May.
Photo Credit: Sean Ward
Left: Shroom Sickle Right: Outgrowth Box
Selected Collections: Amity Foundation, Brooklyn Art Library, Center for Paper and Book Arts, New York, NY, Chazen Musium of Art, Madison WI, Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at Boston University, Boston, MA, Judith K & David J.Broadsky, Rutgers Center for Innovative Editions, New Brunswick, NJ, Margaret Pace -Wilson, San Antonio TX, Museum of Texas Tech University, Artist Printmaker Teaching Collection, Lubbock, TX, University of Texas, San Antonio, TX, University of Colorado, Special Collection, Boulder, CO, Southern Graphics Council, St Lawrence University, Canton, NY, Turku Art Museum, Turku, Finland, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Robert Tatum www.tatumoriginals.com
Studio/Gallery: Choice Goods Gallery, 108 Blue Star, Blue Star Arts Complex, San Antonio, TX 78204
Robert Tatum was born in South Central Los Angeles, but also feels he was born again in Southtown, San Antonio in 1992. He studied design and marketing at Pasadena College of Art and Design. After working for multiple advertising agencies in Los Angeles and graphic design firms, he started painting and drawing in 1985 and designed his own skate/street line – LA Bronx while representing famous graffiti artists: Risk, Realm and Mear One. After selling his company he took a hiatus to the Grand Cayman’s producing art for the Caribbean Tourist Council and selling work in Jamaica for a year before opening his Tatum Originals Choice Goods Gallery in San Antonio.
All those influences can be seen in his fresh, smart, street art style. If you haven’t seen Tatum’s work then you aren’t enjoying enough fine dining and spirits in the Alamo City. Tatum is the darling of many of San Antonio’s acclaimed chefs like Andrew Weismann, and Jason Dady. Perhaps the most recognizable is the happy, OK Monkey art for The Luxury. His prominent work also sets the theme in 16 bars for the Karam family including: Las Vegas Bar, Chicago Bar, New York Bar, and Boston Bar. Often he is responsible for the décor as well, something that he collaborates on with his art director and designer wife, Carol Martelle Tatum.
Tatum’s work, especially his murals aren’t limited to public spaces, he often creates original murals for private residences in San Antonio and Houston. In addition, there are fine prints, home accessories and textiles featuring his art available at his Choice Goods Gallery.
Exhibitions happen monthly at BRICK at the Blue Star Art Complex.
Left: Matador Surfer Right: Gnome Ranger
Selected Collections: Luna Lounge, San Antonio, TX, Il Songo, San Antonio, TX, Reeves Antiques, Houston, TX, Mellow Mushroom, San Antonio, TX, The STATION Museum, Houston, TX, The Luxury, San Antonio, TX, X Marks the Spot Project, San Antonio, TX, Augie’s Barbecue, San Antonio, Texas, Runway Bar/Grill, Houston, TX.
Who is Portfolio Real Estate?
We are top performing real estate professionals, experienced in representing exclusive properties and the people who buy and sell them. Where you live is a reflection of who you are and the life you prefer to live, and WE have the keys to the finest our area has to offer.
Ready to start your San Antonio luxury home search? Search for homes now. Already have something in mind? Talk to a lender about your options.
