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Luis Guerrero
Luis “Chispa’s” Guerrero is a Chicano artist, born and raised on the Eastside of San Antonio, TX. As a metal artist and fabricator, his work is inspired from his upbringing and community. His interest in welding began early, watching his grandfather weld turning shaping and
connecting metal through fire and sparks. That experience stayed with him. Over the years, scrap metal, found objects, music, and the process of fabrication became part of his creative practice. Guerrero’s sculptures often reflect the people, experiences, and culture. His work ranges from small studio pieces to large-scale public sculpture. He has been commissioned by the University of Texas at San Antonio to create several sculptures for the university campus, and his work is held in the collection of Arizona State University’s Hispanic Research Center. He is also featured in the third edition of Contemporary Chicano and Chicana Art: Artists, Works, Culture, and Education Triumph of Our Communities.
Resume (PDF)
Work Samples (PDF)
MORE ABOUT THIS ARTIST
Artist Type: Visual Arts: Painter, Sculptor
Artist Statement of Work
Tell us about your work (style, approach, philosophy, subject and/or theme):
My background is in traditional welding, and over time I began using those skills to create sculpture. I work mainly with metal, including scrap, found objects and machine parts. A lot of my work comes from my own life and the things around me. I find inspiration in dreams, music my culture, family, and the community I grew up in on San Antonio’s Eastside. Some of my work is playful and meant to bring people joy, and other pieces come from personal experiences and stories that are important to me. My process is hands on. An idea might begin with a sketch, a memory, or even something I hear in a piece of music. From there, I spend time working through how I want to express it and what material best fits the idea. Welding and fabrication have been part of my life for many years, so much of the way I think about sculpture comes through making, problem solving, and understanding how things are built.
