Ricardo Ruiz (artist)

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Ricardo Ruiz is a visual artist based in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Contents

Biography

Ricardo Ruiz (also known as Ricardo Ruiz the Elder) was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he still resides. [1] Ruiz could draw before he could even talk and by the age of three he could draw on command. [2] His works are inspired by curanderismo, a traditional folk medicine of Mexico. [3] His paintings are similar in style, and he is influenced by, Hieronymus Bosch, Kerry James Marshall, and Gregory Gillespie. [4] Ruiz primarily works in oil, watercolors, and acrylic, and his paintings focus on Chicano culture, and his own family heritage. [5] His son, Ricardo V. Ruiz, is an artist and printmaker. [6] Richardo Ruiz the Elder has been working as an artist for over 35 years. [4]

Education

Ruiz obtained his bachelor's degree in fine arts in 1984 from Corpus Christi State University. [2] Twenty-two years later he returned to graduate school to get his master's degree in fine arts from Texas A&M, Corpus Christi in 2014. [7]

Artworks

One of Ruiz' well known pieces is his Love Songs for the Palomia, a painting of a grackle wearing a fez hat and in front of a bright green background. [1] He used a grackle as his subject because in Corpus Christi they would always be around him since he was a child. [8] However, he had never seen a dead one so it became an inside joke that grackles have the same longevity as humans which would also give them the same abilities to be civilized as well. [8] The word “Palomia” is slang for “people of the neighborhood” which Ruiz considers an endearing name for the people around him. [8] Many of Ruiz’ inspirations come from a blend of Renaissance art, Catholicism, folklore, and Mexican American culture. [1] [8] Other artists Ruiz finds inspiring are Frida Kahlo, Gregory Gillespie, Thomas Hart Benton, Edward Hopper, and Donald Wilson. [8] His work is described as examining “the commonality of the life experience.” [1]

Exhibitions

Solo exhibitions

Group exhibitions

Collections

Ricardo Ruiz's works can be found in the permanent collection of Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Texas A&M University Weil Gallery, [2] and the Art Museum of Southern Texas. [2]

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References

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  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Ricardo Ruiz the Elder". Full Court Press. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  3. Harpo Foundation (June 2018). "Ricardo Ruiz: Native American Residency Fellow".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. 1 2 "Ricardo Ruiz the Elder – CUCUY.STUDIO" . Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  5. Hackman, Ester (November 27, 2015). [América "Corpus Christi Artists Share Family Legacy Through Art"].{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. "Ricardo V. Ruiz". Artist Printmaker/Photographer Research Collection ● AP/RC ● Art Division of the Museum of Texas Tech University. 2014-07-28. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  7. "Corpus Christi artists share family legacy through art". www.caller.com. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Boyd, Robert. "Ricardo Ruiz's Neighborhood" . Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  9. "Interview: Corpus Christi artist Ricardo Ruiz". Oxford Karma. 2015-02-12. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
  10. "Laredo College". www.laredo.edu. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  11. Gonzales, Paul. "Cheech takes Chicano culture out of barrio and into mainstream". mysoutex. Retrieved 2021-03-21.