"Caricaturas," 12' x
16,' acrylic on canvas,
2007.
We worked this canvas in the back of Resistencia bookstore
and Ancient Ink Tattoo shop during the fall and winter of
2007. My carnal Raúl Salinas initiated it by asking me to
use the backyard for this project. René, his second in
command, who now runs the bookstore was instrumental in
getting this project done (gracias carnalito). We worked it
as if it were a street mural, except it was on canvas. The
cast of characters who helped with the painting were just
crazy enough to make it enjoyable. It was motivating, even
inspirational to see how some young artists are so aware of
how things work on the planet (or at least they think they
do), the country and in the barrio. We had a pretty cool
'mitote' when it was done. (look for images in 'murals' and
in 'Puro Corazon'.
CARICATURAS
2007
Artist’s
Statement
These
days the biggest corporate CEO’s are literally
interchangeable with those at the highest levels of
government. We see corporate control blatantly conducting
wars of profit that enrich and consolidate their power at
the expense of the citizens whose welfare the government is
supposed to serve. The ruling elite purposefully plan the
subjugation of the tax paying public to our detriment and
that of our children, by denying us the right to truth and
logic in education. How else could they convince anyone to
put themselves in harm’s way for what is purely their
selfish interest, not by propaganda alone, but also by
‘dumbing’ down the educational system. Distractions abound
as the same ones in power own all the major communications
media, and through that same media they emphasize those
trivial matters that keep our attention away from the heart
and truth of their shameless neglect. There is little doubt
that any real democracy has long disappeared, if it ever
really existed in the first place. While we fight amongst
each other and squabble over petty issues that affect our
lives on a smaller scale, we are being used as pawns and
cannon fodder for the institutionalized and corporately
controlled government. Italian dictator Benito Mussolini
proudly defined his government to be a merge between
government and corporations: Fascism.
It’s time; we must tell our children the truth and show
them the difference between serving your country and
serving a selfish corporate controlled military industrial
complex. Before anything we must tell ourselves the truth
and recognize the historical amnesia that has brainwashed
us for so long. We must honor our ancestors, those who
fertilize our roots and our children to whom we owe a
better future.
Su servidor
Raúl c/s