Yes, It's Already Now Again

“This work is about creating more spontaneous, direct approaches to expression, learning to let go, and trusting the moment.” -- Roberto Munguia
“To seek spontaneous creation demands the capacity to sustain a high degree of risk, in itself a kind of heroism.” Barbara Rose, talking about the work of Ed Moses… and a fitting description of Munguia’s modus operandi.
Roberto Munguia’s most recent work continues with processes he first developed in 2012, and which approach abstraction from a more intuitive and inquiring position. This type of work attempts a vital dialogue between freedom and control/structure and spontaneity, begging a balance between the two. These risks pay off and something truly amazing emerges.
This is a body of work contrasting strong black and white with glorious color, both realized with abandon and joy. In the liquid graphite drawings, a structure is established through the movement of the artist’s hand, not dictated by a preconceived architecture, but through being attuned to an inner rhythm and cadence. Some of the pieces are large-scale drawings on styrene, its slick surface allowing the graphite to move freely.
With the color works, there is an entirely different approach. Liquid acrylic is poured and directed to create fluid lava pools of color. These are then dried and cut into irregularly-shaped collage paintings that burst off the wall. There is an interesting tension between the muscular graphite drawing and the energetic rush of the undiluted, uncontained color cutouts. This is an exhibition that describes harmony of soul and commitment to process.
Munguia earned his B.F.A. in 1976 from the University of Texas, Austin followed by graduate study at the University of Dallas, Irving where he earned his M.A. in 1978 and M.F.A. in 1979.
His evolution as an artist has been a dynamic process, informed by the thriving Chicano art
scene of South Texas in the late sixties and seventies. The atmosphere of experimentation and
political expression provided an important environment for the young Munguia to become
adept at a number of diverse production techniques.
Roberto Mungia is a regular exhibitor at Conduit Gallery. Selected recent exhibitions include:
8X8 Self Portrait Exhibition, Zhou B Center, Chicago IL (2018); Roberto Munguia:
Buscador/Descubridor, 35 year retrospective, Latin Cultural Center, Dallas TX (2017);
Ceromantia, Emma Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center, Austin TX (2016).