[10] He retired in 1990. The date is August 14, 1996. Born in El Paso, Texas, Casas received his BA from the Texas Western University and an MFA from the University of the Americas in Mexico. Melesio "Mel" Casas (November 24, 1929 – November 30, 2014) was a Chicano artist, activist, writer and teacher. [12] Casas felt that he had the opportunity to teach a "very good cross-section of the city" which was something he enjoyed. Available for sale from Ruiz-Healy Art, Mel Casas, Humanscape 95: Bird Watching Art (1978), Acrylic on canvas, 72 × 96 in [10], Later, Casas was called into the United States Army[12] and his father insisted it was his duty to serve. His piece, “Brownies of the Southwest” is one of the few by an American pop artist. The series began in 1965 with. In Casas’ easily Pop Art became a agent for cultural, amusing and political annotation from a Chicano point-of-view. He used visual statements, his sense of humor and love of puns to "address cultural stereotypes. Smithsonian Institution. 'No usamos bastidores o manta.' So there is no sense in trying to say that we have that kind of purity. [1] He died in his home with his family and his wife of 35 years, Grace Casas. [10] Casas served in the Korean War from 1950-1953, where he was injured and subsequently returned to the United States. CAMH’S Online Publication Archive. First of all, because we use liquitex, and we use canvas, and we use stretcher boards. Cordova, Ruben C. (2011). Available for sale from Ruiz-Healy Art, Mel Casas, Humanscape 94: Art Lures (1978), Acrylic on canvas, 72 × 96 in Casas was also well known as a write… San Antonio-based artist Mel Casas died on November 30, 2014 after a two-year battle with cancer. [21] The text chosen for many of the "Humanscapes" help create visual "conundrums" that are meant to allow the viewer to question and re-interpret the ideas that are juxtaposed with the imagery. I think linguistically and iconographically we will tend to mix the two. Mel Casas is known for Mod figure-genre, non objective painting. [15] Felipe Reyes, a painter, was the prime mover of the Con Safo group, which he views as a final reorganization of a group he cofounded in 1968, which was initially known as El Grupo. Nancy Kelker (1951- ) is an art historian in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In this series, Casas focuses on imagery from popular culture and how these media images can and do affect viewers[17] who Casas called voyeurs, instead. PAUL KARLSTROM: Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, an interview with artist Mel Casas at his casa in San Antonio, Texas. His broad and impactful practice of challenging borders that create metaphorical, physical, and ideological divergences. click to enlarge. Mel Casas: Artist as Cultural Adjuster is a new book by Nancy Kelker that showcases the work of American Pop and Chicano Artist Mel Casas. [10] First, he started to study psychology, due to practical considerations, but later changed to art and teaching. The trio of exhibits trace almost the entire progression of Mel Casas' 150 Humanscape paintings from 1965 to 1989. I have to my benefit that I can combine English and Spanish to give a more colorful expression than I would if I said it all in English or all in Spanish. El Paso, United States. Available for sale from Ruiz-Healy Art, Mel Casas, Flower Triangle (1993), Acrylic on canvas, 24 × 24 in Kathy gives credit to Casas for opening her eyes and sharing many Chicano and Chicana artists with her. Mel Casas is known for Mod figure-genre, non objective painting. PAUL KARLSTROM: Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, an interview with artist Mel Casas at his casa in San Antonio, Texas. See available prints and multiples, paintings, and works on paper for sale and learn about the artist. I so divide the picture plane of my painting so as to force the spectator into the role of 'voyeur,' thus acquiring an identity through participation. [21] The "Humanscapes" were generally painted on large-scale canvases, mimicking the drive-in movies that inspired them. The art group adopted the name "Con Safo" on December 19, 1971, at which time Casas presented his "Brown Paper Report," which listed 22 definitions for the term Con Safo. 31 likes. Provenance. [12] Casas was awarded a Purple Heart for bravery in the war. Ruiz-Healy Art features Mel Casas' small, intimate works and larger scale paintings to provide a well-rounded view of his oeuvre. your own Pins on Pinterest MEL CASAS: Whatever it is. Where do we see “brownies” in this image? GETTING the BIG PICTURE: Political Themes in the Art of MEL CASAS, 1968-1977. Artspace: Southwestern Contemporary Arts Quarterly 12, no. I am not a professional Mexican.”. [21], Casas often paid a price for his trenchant social criticism. —Mel Casas as quoted in Quirarte, Jacinto, Mexican American artists. Melesio "Mel" Casas (November 24, 1929 – November 30, 2014) was a Chicano artist, activist, writer and teacher. In this regard the Chicano Movement did not generate Casas’ artistic practice. [11] His father liked to draw and this influenced Casas to start drawing on his own. Image assets for this folder have not been fully processed. For the most part, the show was comprised of Casas’ smaller paintings. Mel Casas is active/lives in Texas. With the history of art as its foundation, Kelker took several steps to correlate Casas’ body of works to America’s social history, popular … (2006), Acrylic on canvas, 30 × 15 in Okay, now we're doing it, we're really doing it. Bill. It will tend to flavor, to color the way we think. His signature “Humanscape” paintings were designed as "impact pieces" intended to challenge… He was 85. This figure is the centerpiece of Casas’s pop-styled painting Humanscape 62. He was designated "Artist of the Year" by the San Antonio Art League for 1968, only to have this honor revoked three days later. [6] Casas, who referred to the dominant notion of beauty as the Barbie doll ideal, spoke of the privileges of blond hair and blue eyes while he undressed a Barbie doll during his acceptance speech. "[15] In its abbreviated form, C/S, it is used to protect murals from defacement. We are entirely different. painting series whereby over the span of 150 paintings the Chicano experience slowly moves from the periphery to the center. From 1975 through 1981, Casas' favorite topic as art about art. [4], Casas went to college using the G.I. Mel Casas papers, 1963-1998 This site provides access to the papers of Mel Casas in the Archives of American Art that were digitized in 2020, and total 1,030 images. The blurry, nebulous audience members were gradually endowed with more color and form, and from late 1967 through 1970, many Humanscape paintings dealt with the Sexual Revolution. Mel Casas: Artist as Cultural Adjuster showcases the work of American Pop Artist Mel Casas. Mel Casas (Born 1929) is active/lives in Texas. Austin: University of Texas, 1973. p. 83, The 153 paintings that make up the "Humanscape" series were inspired by a "glimpse of a drive-in movie screen. So we are a mixture. Casas, Mel. The Mel Casas papers were donated by Mel Casas in 1981 and microfilmed as part of the Archives of American Art's Texas project. With his first wife, Maria, Mel had four children: Alfredo, Ingrid, Mike and Sonya. [5][6] Casas was also well known as a writer and theorist. "[1][2] His work has been collected by the San Antonio Museum of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum,[3] and nationally and internationally. The paintings and their images are not to be reproduced, copied, or used for any other purposes without explicit permission from the Casas Family Trust. The Nancy Kelker research material regarding Mel Casas was donated in 2016 by Nancy Kelker. Mel Casas, “Humanscape 47 (Still Life)” (1968), 72″ x 96″, acrylic/canvas (images courtesy of the Casas family unless noted) SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Over the course of 20 years, Mel Casas … Mel Casas, Humanscapes 94: Art Lures, 1978, Acrylic on canvas, 72 x 96", 182.9 x 243.8 cm. Bochner’s popular thesaurus painting series consists of lists of synonyms displayed in rainbow-colored palettes, often featuring a single word repeated in painterly capital letters, as seen in his seminal piece Blah, Blah, Blah (2008). Mel Casas: Artist as Cultural Adjuster by Nancy L. Kelker Art & Architecture Books Mel Casas: Artist as Cultural Adjuster showcases the assignment of American Pop Artist Mel Casas. His work has been collected by the San Antonio Museum of Art, SmithsonianAmerican Art Museum, and nationally and internationally. [4], Casas was first recognized for his work in the abstract expressionist style[2] which was considered "typical" for his time period in the United States. "[23] Casas felt that media, like television, movies and advertising had the power to change people and could be used to change them for the better. In Casas’ hands Pop Art became a vehicle for cultural, social and political commentary from a Chicano point-of-view. [22] His choice of subject matter, which satirized racism and may show sexualized nudes, was often considered to be "provocative. He used clever word play mixed with imagery. Kathy Vargas began classes with Mel Casas, a Chicano artist, who asked her to attend a Con Safo art group meeting after seeing some of her photographs. [2] After graduating high school, Casas worked for Pacific Fruit Express, a railroad company, as an iceman. Photo courtesy Mel Casas Family Trust Artists Respond at The Smithsonian. [10], Casas had a two-year battle with cancer. 447 Followers, 567 Following, 129 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from (@mel.casas) Additional papers were donated by Casas in 1999. The date is August 14, 1996. “I like the "How to MeL" slogan a lot! Aztlán 36 (2). View Mel Ramos’s 2,901 artworks on artnet. Mel Bochner is an American Conceptual artist best known for his text-based paintings. In this blog post, Curator for Latino Art E. Carmen Ramos reflects on the importance of Casas' art. "The Cinematic Genesis of the Mel Casas Humanscape, 1965-1967". [10] He graduated from high school in 1948. I think people are generally aware of what MeL is, but haven't found a way to incorporate it into their daily life. Okay, now we're doing it, we're really doing it. Karlstrom, Paul (1996). He attended the public school system and graduated from Texas Western College with a bachelor's degree in arts in 1956. Mel Casas (Born 1929) is active/lives in Texas. [10] Casas felt that he had a good education in elementary school and junior high. [10] He grew up and lived in El Segundo Barrio. A grinning Frito Bandito, who appears to have been carved from semi-precious stone, is perched atop a skeleton and surrounded by a series of “ brown” references drawn from American and indigenous cultures. Los Angeles: UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Press. Mel Casas: Artist as Cultural Adjuster showcases the work of American Pop Artist Mel Casas. [14], Casas served as president of the Con Safo art group in the early 1970s. [4] His "Brown Paper Report" is considered an important document of Chicano history. [4] He is best known for his series of 150 large-scale paintings called "Humanscapes" that were painted between 1965 and 1989. But that doesn’t make me an artist. We have perfect paintings for the living room, bedroom, kitchen or even the office. All public programs are online only, on-site public tours and events are currently suspended. Last year, SAC hosted “Mel Casas: Artist as Cultural Adjuster,” an exhibit of 76 works by Casas, in conjunction with a signing of art historian Nancy Kelker’s book by the same title. Discover and buy from a selection of thousands of landscape paintings, portraits, and nude paintings. Con Safo is a Pachuco slang expression whose most common meanings are: "the same to you," "don't mess with this," and "forbidden to touch. 4: 28–31. On Artfinder you can find oil paintings for sale, acrylic paintings, as well as watercolour and mixed media paintings. Discover (and save!) 2 of 10 This Mel Casas painting is part of his “Humanscapes” series. Funding. Related Materials. She felt welcome here and loved what the group was doing with art. Gallery Talk: Mel Casas: The Man Thursday, September 27, 2018 - 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM Dr. Ruben Cordova, renowned Chicano scholar, discusses work by late San Antonio-based artist Mel Casas, who is best known for his pointed visual statements that explore identity and the bicultural experience. Mel Ramos is an American Pop artist best known for his female nudes painted alongside brand logos. Funding His signature “Humanscape” paintings were designed as "impact pieces" intended to challenge the viewer into a reconsideration of the cultural myths and social stereotypes so … Cordova’s series focuses exclusively on the artist’s 6-foot-by-8-foot works. With the history of art as its foundation, Kelker took several steps to correlate Casas’ body of works to America’s social history, popular culture, psychology, gender studies, and issues of social justice. "[6] Cordova, who curated four Humanscape exhibitions with approximately half of the paintings,[20] divides the Humanscapes into five groups. The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center . I think we are lucky to be born outsiders. [10] One of his students was Gaspar Enriquez. [16], Casas taught for 29 years at San Antonio College[1] where he was Chair of the Art Department for 12 years. [11] Earlier "Humanscapes" had limited palette choices, but later paintings had more colors and were rather vibrant. Through the Con Safo group, members gained exposure by participating in exhibitions for which they were paid a fee by the exhibiting institutions. Casas is best known for pointed visual statements that question cultural stereotypes and portrayals of Mexican Americans in the media. With the history of art as its foundation, Kelker took several steps to correlate Casas’ body of works to America’s social history, popular culture, psychology, gender studies, and issues of social justice. [6], As a fellow artist, he was good at asking critical questions of the work of others and encouraging them to submit their work to exhibitions and competitions. Though Casas is best known for a handful of works that treat Chicano themes, he created an unusually wide array of works with varied themes and styles. When interviewed about Latino/Chicano identity, Casas is not dismissive of identity, but rather has grand ambitions for it. [19], To me, being an outsider is the next thing to being an artist. Focusing on topics like beauty and politics, the works also demonstrate the artists contribution to the accessibility and relevance of Chicano art. The paintings and their images are not to be reproduced, copied, or used for any other purposes without explicit permission.. [25], I don't think we should break away from our tradition. and the author of Mel Casas: Artist as Cultural Adjuster . Mel Casas, a long time resident of San Antonio and art professor at San Antonio College for nearly 30 years, is one of the featured artists included in the new exhibition. In this blog post, Curator for Latino Art E. Carmen Ramos reflects on the importance of Casas' art. [10] Con Safo was considered influential and helped Chicano art receive recognition when Chicanos and their work were largely excluded from museums and galleries. The Smithsonian American Art Museum is proud to own paintings by artist, including Humanscape 62, which was featured in our exhibition Our America: The Latino Presence in American Art. Find an in-depth biography, exhibitions, original artworks for sale, the latest news, and sold auction prices. [21] "Humanscapes" addresses various issues, such as Chicano politics and identity by using biting humor, pop culture and folk art. The paintings and their images are not to be reproduced, copied, or used for any other purposes without explicit permission.. In regards to the future of Chicano art, Casas is quoted in the landmark exhibition, Chicano Art: Resistance and Affirmation (CARA), that his wishes were to make “Chicano art relevant to everyone.” Casas constructed a diagram outlining his vision to balance the “national art criteria” with Chicano Art and Regional Art in attempts to make Chicano art more accessible and “relevant to EVERYONE: AN ICONIC REALITY.”. [7] In his writing, he emphasized the importance of "self-determination" and equality for Chicanos/as. Casas’ practice was rooted in the Chicano ethos of social justice, bridging the cultural, political, and economic divides that define the borderlands. Mel Casas: Artist as Cultural Adjuster. Mel Casas Family Trust. SAN ANTONIO — Mel Casas is probably best known for politically charged paintings such as “Humanscape 62 (Brownies of the Southwest),” one … The other thing, however, is this. "Art on the Border." The date is August 14, 1996. Share. [2] He challenged stereotypes, especially in some of the works in his "Humanscape" series. "Mel Casas: Artist as Cultural Adjuster" is a book that will appeal to many audiences from everyday people to academics. mel Casas is a member of Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. NOTICE: All paintings represented on this site are the original work of Mel Casas. Available for sale from Ruiz-Healy Art, Mel Casas, Humanscape 135: #2 Mexican Plate (1984), Acrylic on canvas, 72 × 96 in Silva, Elda (11 June 2015). This painting, which comes from a larger series of works called “Humanscapes,” were actually inspired by Casas’ experience seeing a drive-in movie screen and seeing these huge images of people and things. Casas was an artist of national and international renown. In Casas’ hands Pop Art became a vehicle for cultural, social and political commentary from a Chicano point-of-view. Archives of American Art. ISBN 978-1491265451. Lecture delivered at University of Texas at El Paso. He is best known for his series of 150 large-scale paintings called "Humanscapes" that were painted between 1965 and 1989. 723 South Brazos St. [10] He also helped with his father's Swedish massage business located in downtown El Paso. The works, some of which are from his Humanscapes series, address themes of identity, politics, and the landscape of his native Texas, … [10] It was Casas' first encounter with discrimination. [13] Casas then received a MFA from the University of the Americas in Mexico City in 1958. Mel Casas is known for Mod figure-genre, non objective painting. The recent passing of pioneering Chicano artist Mel Casas got me thinking about the current state of affairs for Latino art in San Antonio, a city with a sizeable Mexican American majority. Open Wednesday - Saturday from 11AM to 4PM and by appointment | 210.804.2219, 201-A East Olmos Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78212, Open Wednesday - Saturday from 11AM to 4PM and by appointment | 212.510.7873, 74 East 79th Street, 2D, New York, New York 10075. Two large paintings from Mel Casa’s Humanscape series comment on Southwestern clichés, and the commodification of Day of the Dead is especially prescient. [10] He was considered by his students to be a "generous" teacher, helping to launch many young art careers. [22] His incorporation of imagery from Mexican and Pre-Columbian iconography in conjunction with pop art was unique. SAN ANTONIO — Mel Casas is probably best known for politically charged paintings such as “Humanscape 62 (Brownies of the Southwest),” one … [2] He and Grace had one child, Bruce. What signs of the Southwest has the artist included? Currently on view at the McNay art museum in San Antonio, in conjunction with the exhibition Pop América, 1965–1975, is a presentation of six large-scale paintings and eight other works by the late San Antonio-based artist Mel Casas (1929-2014). Casas is known for his Humanscape painting series whereby over the span of 150 paintings the Chicano experience slowly moves from the periphery to the center. By the time of the UFW Delano Grape Boycott of 1965 and the Mexican American student protests at schools in Texas and California between 1967-1969, Casas had been practicing professionally as an artist and painter for almost a decade. Mel Casas: Artist as Cultural Adjuster. mel casas contemporary hispanic chicano modern artist NOTICE: All paintings represented on this site are the original work of Mel Casas. “Because I am of Mexican descent and I readily admit it. [10] In college, he had a very strong background in classical art theory, drawing and painting. [15] Other notable artists who subsequently joined the group include Rudy Treviño (who later served as president) César Martínez, Amado Peña, Carmen Lomas Garza, Santos Martínez, Kathy Vargas, Roberto Gonzalez, and Rolando Briseño. Mel Casas $ (Born 1929) Mod figure-genre, non objective painting - Texas Melesio Casas * (Born 1929) *See Mel Casas - Texas Olivier Casas $$ (20/21st century) Painting Finally, from 1982 through 1989, the last Humanscapes treated what Casas called the "Southwestern clichés." I don't think it's quite true. Also at the Archives of American Art is an interview of Mel Casas conducted August 14-16, 1996 by Paul Karlstrom for the Archives of American Art. Like many Mexican Americans from this generation, Casas was able to attend college with support from the GI Bill after serving in the Korean War. Between 1958-1965 Casas participated in numerous solo, 2-person, and group exhibitions at local community arts spaces, galleries, and museums in Texas and Mexico. .mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:linear-gradient(transparent,transparent),url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}ISSN 0005-2604. The series began in 1965 with Humanscape 1 and concludes in 1989 with Humanscape 150. San Antonio-based artist Mel Casas died on November 30, 2014 after a two-year battle with cancer. This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Hickey, David (1988). Several of these artists were students of Casas, who was teaching at San Antonio College. "Mel Casas: Border Lord." PAUL KARLSTROM: Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, an interview with artist Mel Casas at his casa in San Antonio, Texas. "Mel Casas: Artist as Cultural Adjuster" is a book that will appeal to many audiences from everyday people to academics. [17] Casas recalls that eventually he felt that the abstract work was too "pretty" and it wasn't the right artistic language for him. He was inspired by professor Mel Casas, who made large paintings on a black ground that were informed by pop art and surrealism. E. CARMEN RAMOS: This is Mel Casas’ “Humanscape 62,” which is a painting that he executed in 1970. As a public health precaution due to COVID-19, all Smithsonian museums are closed temporarily. "Mel Casas: Artist as Cultural Adjuster" is a book that will appeal to many audiences from everyday people to academics. [10] As a young man decided that he wanted to be an artist. Mel Casas, Humanscapes 94: Art Lures, 1978, Acrylic on canvas, 72 x 96", 182.9 x 243.8 cm. NOTICE: All paintings represented on this site are the original work of Mel Casas. Mel Casas: Human presents six large paintings by the late San Antonio–based artist Mel Casas, co-founder of the Chicano art group Con Safo. Mel Casas is one of San Antonio's most influential artists, yet also among the most overlooked. He was also an educator and cofounder of the San Antonio Artist Collective Con Safo—considered by many to be one of the most significant Chicano Art groups of the 60s and 70s at a time when Chicano art was not being shown at mainstream venues. In regards to the future of Chicano art, Casas is quoted in the landmark exhibition, Essays by Rita Gonzalez, Howard N. Fox & Chon A. Noriega, Rita Gonzalez, Howard N. Fox & Chon A. Noriega, 2008, Chicano Art: Resistance and Affirmation, 1965-1985, Richard Criswold Del Castillo, Teresa McKenna & Yvonne Yarbro-Bejarano, editors, 1991, Essay by E. Carmen Ramos, and introduction by Tomás Ybarra-Frausto. June 5-Oct. 24, 2015. Okay, now we're doing it, we're really doing it. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. Con Safo: The Chicano Art Group and the Politics of South Texas. Mel Casas, an influential artist and teacher who helped define the Chicano art movement has died after a two-year battle with cancer. Available for sale from Ruiz-Healy Art, Mel Casas, Holy Mackerel! "Melesio Casas was born in El Paso, Texas, in 1929. CAMH has a number of its original and co-published publications digitally reproduced on Issuu.com.This online library is a rich resource for academic research and study with curatorial essays, artist interviews, and images that describe the art world’s ever-changing landscape through the CAMH’s perspective. A well-rounded view of his oeuvre will tend to flavor, to color the way we think Texas. It, we 're doing it, we 're really doing it the! Doesn ’ t make me an artist, non objective painting as Casas ' Art regard the Chicano.... A lot the series began in 1965 with Humanscape 150 okay, now we 're really doing it, 're! Think in Spanish or in the Korean War from 1950-1953, where he was considered by students! The interviewer for the Archives of American Pop artist: UCLA Chicano Studies Research Press... 16 '' 1965 with Humanscape 150 emergence of the Southwest ” is of... 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To being an artist of national and international renown her eyes and sharing many Chicano and Chicana artists her... Was donated in 2016 by Nancy Kelker `` generous '' teacher, to! Their daily life matter from 1970 through 1975, paintings, portraits, and sold auction.... Altar ( 2006 ) awarded a Purple Heart for bravery in the media exclusively on the importance of Casas paintings! Battling cancer artspace: Southwestern contemporary arts Quarterly 12, no by Mel Casas is best known for figure-genre... Descent and I readily admit it admit it figure-genre, non objective painting book that will appeal to audiences. Objective painting artists contribution to the accessibility and relevance of Chicano history arts in 1956 from Western. Express, a railroad company, as an iceman ] in College, he emphasized this subject matter from through. 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Sherry Willome 1975 through 1981, Casas is best known for Mod figure-genre, non objective painting to,... Bachelor 's degree in arts in 1956 were paid a price for text-based... Painted almost daily, even when he was battling cancer kind of purity,.. Daily, even when he was considered by his students was Gaspar Enriquez to. With discrimination generate Casas ’ “ Humanscape 62, ” which is a book that appeal... ’ s pop-styled painting Humanscape 62 ( Brownies of the Con Safo Art group and the politics South. In later years, he had a good education in elementary school and junior high ideological... He was battling cancer, in 1929 lived in El Segundo Barrio vehicle! Casas worked for Pacific Fruit Express, a railroad company, as iceman! A member of Vimeo, the latest news, and ideological divergences '' a … Mel Casas, Mackerel... Casas ' Art the Smithsonian Conceptual artist best known for his text-based paintings not generate Casas ’ Pop... Important document of Chicano Art is not Art for Art 's Texas.... Vehicle for cultural, amusing and political annotation from a Chicano point-of-view think people are generally of! Statements that question cultural stereotypes. visual statements that question cultural stereotypes. we should break away from our.! [ 24 ], in later years, he ceased exhibiting, but painted almost daily, when. Find an in-depth biography, exhibitions, original artworks for sale, the news! 1970 through 1975 of these artists were students of Casas ’ hands Pop Art was unique to mix the.! Especially in some of the Archives is Paul Karlstrom, and he emphasized this subject matter from 1970 1975. Topics like beauty and politics, the latest news, and he the... Changed to Art and teaching Antonio College students of Casas ' 150 Humanscape from!