‘New Visions’: Positive Images Through Latino Art

FACES

“As Chicanos, we need to see ourselves in a better light,” says Los Angeles-born artist John Valadez. “There is a real need to teach and give some kind of guidance--to define a better image.”

Valadez, whose work from the past 10 years is the subject of “New Visions and Ventures in Latino Art,” opening Wednesday at Santa Ana’s Rancho Santiago College Art Gallery, tries to provide such an image through his art.

“I use art for a better sense of seeing who we are and how the world sees us,” Valadez said.

In his earlier pastel portraits of working-class people from the Downtown area, for instance, Valadez dealt with the “anger” and “confusion” he felt over the “bicultural conflict” that results when “first generation Mexicanos see us as Americans, but Americans see us as Latinos.

“I was trying to address who we are and what we as Americans look like (by) portraying a class of people that’s not really involved in the traditional art world,” Valadez, 38, said. “It was something that I had to do. I used art as a sort of therapy to get rid of my anger.”

The artist, who has a bachelor’s degree in painting and drawing from Long Beach State, said his more recent work has changed as a result of a 1987 residency with an arts foundation in the south of France. The traveling experiences gave him a broader perspective, he said.

“Now I think I have a little bit more fun,” said Valadez, who is featured in “Le Demon Des Anges,” a show of 16 Chicano artists touring in Europe. “I still see myself as a voice . . . a vehicle for my community, but now I’m getting a lot more personal in terms of the images in my work.”

In addition, he says his more recent pieces, such as those in his January show “Condenados (the Damned)” at Saxon-Lee Gallery, are more ambiguous works that are less direct and employ a good deal of allegory and symbolism.

“Before my work was very specific. Now I want you to guess what it means.”

CURRENTS

Thieves with a penchant for contemporary art stole about $9,000 worth of art books from Dutton’s book store in Brentwood. No other type of books were taken during the March 1 burglary. Stolen were about 50 books, including a $1,250 copy of “Caitlin Portfolio of North American Indians” and two $850 brocade-covered books on Oriental art and calligraphy. “They took all the biggest, flashiest books; the very special, expensive and large books,” said Dutton’s Diane Huffman, who organizes the art book section. “There used to be all these art thefts of art , but now these books have gotten so expensive they’re collectors items.”

Other books stolen included several photography books, a number of copies of the Spanish-language Mexican mural book “La Pinturas de la Revolucion,” and books on such artists as Helen Frankenthaler and Edward Hopper. “Some of the books that were left behind were kind of insulting,” said Huffman, noting that a $100 cloth-covered book on the finest pieces in the Museum of Modern Art’s collection was taken out of its box, but left in the store. Huffman said police are working on the case, but she has her own theory: “I think it’s somebody setting up an art bookstore,” she said.

THE SCENE

Many collectors have works by Billy Al Bengston, Lee Mullican or Marc Pally hanging on their walls, but how many have pieces by these artists that they can actually wear? Decorated jean jackets by these and other artists including David Amico, Ikraam and Charlotte Neuville will be up for grabs on Saturday at an auction to benefit the Newport Harbor Art Museum. The 7 p.m. auction will be held in Costa Mesa at South Coast Plaza’s men’s apparel store, Barneys New York. Tickets are $90. Prior to the auction, the jackets will be on view at the Museum during regular hours this Tuesday through Friday. Information: (714) 759-1122.

OVERHEARD

Alexis Smith took time out from work on her upcoming show “Eldorado (On the Road, Part II)” (at Margo Leavin Gallery from March 24-April 21) to stop by the Museum of Contemporary Art on the final day of “Constructing a History: A Focus on MOCA’s Permanent Collection.” “It’ll be a really nice show, should we all live long enough to see it finished,” said Smith of “Eldorado,” as she showed a male friend her 1977 piece, “Story From My Childhood,” which was included in MOCA’s “Selections from the Beatrice and Philip Gersh Collection.” Her 1985 work “Asphalt Jungle” was in “Constructing a History.” “People always ask if it’s me in any of the pictures,” Smith told her friend, referring to photographs she includes in her mixed-media collages. “I’m in all of them.”

DEBUTS

Marina Del Rey-based artist Gil Garfield has his first solo show at Jan Turner Gallery through April 7. The artist, whose acrylic paintings on paper and canvas combine abstract and figurative elements, has been painting full-time for six years. His previous careers included teaming with Bert Convy as part of the recording act “The Cheers,” and working in his family’s real estate development business. Says Garfield: “I find a satisfaction and fulfillment in painting that I have never had in my life.”

The first one-man show of works by Los Angeles artist Marc Kreisel is on view at American Gallery through March 25. The show of works by Kreisel, who runs the popular Downtown spot Al’s Bar and was co-founder of Al’s National Theater, includes conceptual pieces completed over the past three years.

HAPPENING

A fund-raising dinner for the Nicholas Wilder Center at AIDS Project Los Angeles will be held next Sunday at Trumps (8764 Melrose Ave.). The event is hosted by artworld notables Bea and Phil Gersh, Sam Francis, David Hockney, Norman Lear, James Corcoran, Laura Lee and Bob Woods, Robert Rowan and Betty Asher. Proceeds from the $300 per person dinner will go toward construction of the Nicholas Wilder Center, which will house the volunteer resources of APLA. The dinner is held in conjunction with a three-gallery tribute show (at Asher/Faure, Gemini G.E.L. and Stuart Regen) to the art dealer, who died of AIDS last May. Information: (213) 271-3655.

A three-part course on the Mannerist style (1520-1600), which for centuries was regarded as the decadent aftermath of the High Renaissance, will be taught Wednesday, March 21 and March 28 (from 2-4:30 p.m.) at the J. Paul Getty Museum. The course will concentrate on the great Italian masters of Mannerism represented in the museum’s collections, including Pontormo, Bronzino, Salviati, Giambologna and Benvenuto Cellini. Artistic developments of the period in France and northern Europe will also be discussed. To enroll, call (213) 459-7611, Ext. 300.

Reservations must be made by Monday to confirm a spot for “Cal Print ‘90” a one-day print-making symposium at Occidental College on March 21. Discussion topics will include “The Development of Early Printmaking,” “Toxicology of the Chemicals Used in Printmaking,” “Waterless Planography,” “Multipanel Woodblock Printing,” “Japanese Paper Making” and “Silk Screen Water Base Inks.” Cost for the 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. symposium is $45 per person. Reservations: (213) 259-2749.

An Art in Public Places narrated bus tour will be conducted in Brea on Saturday and again on April 14. The $3, 1 1/2-hour tour includes a stop at the outdoor “studio” of Brea’s 1990 artist in residence, marble sculptor Marton Varo. The 10:30 a.m. tour meets at the Community Services Department, 3rd Level, Brea Civic & Cultural Center, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea. Information: (714) 671-4403.