Painter expresses Mexican roots in local exhibition
For over 20 years, internationally renowned mural artist Daniel Camacho has devoted his life to public art, capturing people’s experiences in images that empower them in their work for social change.
Las Raíces de mi Corazón, his first solo show of drawings and paintings, is now on display at NoneSuch Space Gallery in Oakland. Daniel was born in Mexico City, where he began his career in visual arts. He has been a community artist, cultural worker and resident here in Oakland for the past 12 years.
Daniel is an alumnus of the Nat’l Institute of Fine Arts, La Esmeralda, and the Nat’l School of Visual Arts, San Carlos, at the UNAM (both in Mexico City). He has painted murals in the Bay Area, and around the world. The City of Oakland has recognized his work with five cultural arts awards. His artwork represents his beloved homeland, with all the joys and sorrows, traditions, celebrations, and subtleties of everyday life.
The paintings of women in the exhibition represent the influences of Daniel’s mother, mi madre. He says, “the part that represents the person who raised me, educated me, and helped me become the person I am today. Always, in my paintings, a woman is at the center, because that is who I learned from.” Many other images from Mexico are used to illustrate what has and continues to influence me -- things I’ve lived and seen -- the most important part of who I am is rooted in Mexico, where I grew up, where I know who I am; the aspect of life that makes me who I am, because the roots of my heart are in Mexico.”
For the past eight years in the Bay Area he has taught art and installation to school children in Richmond and Oakland both in after school programs and summer art camps. His art installations are often seen at community events and festivals and represent both his Mexican heritage and that of the large Latino community in the East Bay.
Daniel’s show runs until June 21st at the NoneSuch Space Gallery, 2865 Broadway, 2nd Fl., Oakland. Call 510-625-1600. NoneSuch Space is a gallery, film and events venue. Its mission is to deepen and broaden arts offerings to the Oakland community by searching for works and adventurous programming.
NoneSuch Space is a project of Paragon Media, a nonprofit organization.