Las Flores de Ayer (Yesterday’s Flowers), Oil on Canvas, 96”x60”. Juan Cruz
Juan Cruz - Solo Show Artist Reception - un Beso de Xitlali (a kiss from a star)
Join us for the opening reception and artist talk for Dallas-based artist, Juan Cruz and his captivating solo show, un Beso de Xitlali (a kiss from a star)
Co-hosted by the Booker T. Visual Arts Guild
Opening Reception - Friday, January 26th – 6 pm to 9pm
Artist Talk - 7pm
Exhibit on view – Tuesday, January 23 to Saturday, February 10
Location:
Art on Main, 4428 Main Street, Suite 200, Dallas, Texas, 75226
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work represents an infinite space. It is what it is and it was what it was. I no longer wish to paint about anyone or anything. I paint to live. I paint to paint.
This new body of work represents a personal space. " Flor y Canto" or " Flower and Song". To paint a Flor is to paint a song. I believe that as individuals we paint our own flower and create our own song. This is what keeps us breathing, thinking, and living.
Mi obra representa un espacio infinito. Es lo que es y fue lo que fue. Ya no deseo pintar sobre nada ni nadie. Pinto para vivir. Pinto por pintar.
Este nuevo cuerpo de trabajo representa un espacio personal. "Flor y Canto" o "Flower and Song". Pintar una Flor es pintar una canción. Creo que como individuos pintamos nuestra propia flor y creamos nuestra propia canción. Esto es lo que nos mantiene respirando, pensando y viviendo.
-Juan Cruz
BIO
Juan Cruz is a Dallas-based artist and educator that creates sculptures, paintings and drawings. He’s had the opportunity to exhibit at Brookhaven Community College, Richland Community College, 500X, Latino Culture Center, Ash Studios, Texas Wesleyan University, University of North Texas and Mary Tomas Gallery. Cruz graduated with an Associate Degree of Arts from Brookhaven Community College and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Texas.
In 2018, Cruz worked with the city of Dallas and received the Cultural Artist Program (CAP). At the end of 2018, Cruz studied abroad in Florence, Italy. In 2020, he pioneered the first virtual workshop with the Dallas’s Office of Arts and Culture. In 2023, Cruz worked with Dallas Welcoming Communities and Immigrants Affairs in the Annual All-American City Award competition showcasing a collaborative mural done with community of Esperanza.
Cruz’s work focuses on traditional art mediums that explores architecture, technology, and ichthyology. Furthermore, it questions classical art and architecture in the history of art. His goal is to inspire and motivate the future generation in creating an art that breaks away from the “normal”, the “usual”, and to create an art form that asks questions.
Juan Cruz currently teaches painting at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
Juan Cruz es un artista y educador radicado en Dallas que crea esculturas, pinturas y dibujos. Ha tenido la oportunidad de exponer en Brookhaven Community College, Richland Community College, 500X, Latino Culture Center, Ash Studios, Texas Wesleyan University, University of North Texas y Mary Tomas Gallery. Cruz se graduó con un Grado Asociado en Artes de Brookhaven Community College y una Licenciatura en Bellas Artes de la Universidad del Norte de Texas.
En 2018, Cruz trabajó con la ciudad de Dallas y recibió el Programa de Artistas Culturales (CAP). A fines de 2018, Cruz estudió en el extranjero en Florencia, Italia. En 2020, fue pionero en el primer taller virtual con la Oficina de Artes y Cultura de Dallas. En 2023, Cruz trabajó con Dallas Welcoming Communities and Immigrants Affairs en la competencia anual All-American City Award mostrando un mural colaborativo hecho con la comunidad.
El trabajo de Cruz se enfoca en medios artísticos tradicionales que exploran la arquitectura, la tecnología y la ictiología. Además, cuestiona el arte y la arquitectura clásicos en la historia del arte. Su objetivo es inspirar y motivar a las futuras generaciones a crear un arte que rompa con lo “normal”, lo “usual”, y crear una forma de arte que haga preguntas.
Juan Cruz actualmente enseña pintura en Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.