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Mauro De la Tierra
Media Arts: Graphic Artist; Performing Arts: Performance Art; Visual Arts: Illustrator, Mixed Media Artist, Muralist, Painter, Sculptor
Mauro de la Tierra is a first generation Mexican American from San Antonio; a self-taught painter, sculptor, illustrator. What began with street art transitioned into canvas and beyond. With support from his community, and his mentor, Albert Gonzales, he has been self-employed as a full time artist since October 2017. Mauro considers himself community-made and is community-driven. His work focuses on socio-economic challenges and generational struggles such as the prison industrial complex, poverty, addiction, and the deterioration of the earth. His work captures a side of life that is often vilified and ignored while also making a statement of love for humanity. With the use of spray paint, acrylic, and oil paints, Mauro creates heavy textures on canvas in a modern and raw style of whimsical, surreal, abstract expressionism.
In the same year that Mauro launched himself into art full time, he began leading and collaborating with The Black Sheep Collective, a group of DIY misfit artist extraordinaires. Together they have put on six pop-up gallery exhibitions and performances. His work thus far has been shown in various news outlets such as La Prensa, Spectrum News, and Texas Public Radio and galleries which have included Kspace gallery, Mexi-Arte Museum, Presa House gallery. Mauro has also had four solo shows and is preparing for his fifth to be opened at Territory in May of 2023. He is currently co-directing a performance piece for Cornyation at the Majestic Theater.
Resume (PDF)
Work Samples (PDF)
Artist Statement of Work
Tell us about your work (style, approach, philosophy, subject and/or theme):
Mauro de la Tierra uses mediums such as acrylic, spray paint, oil, ink, digital illustration, and paper maché. As a child of immigrants, growing up in poverty, de la Tierra believed that art was only meant for the upper echelons of society. Through his own exploration of art, de la Tierra was able to dismantle that notion within himself and uses his art to bring the same awareness to marginalized communities from similar socio-economic backgrounds. Mauro de la Tierra is a firm believer that art is for all bodies, has the power to unite all, and is a universal love language.
Incorporating indigenous symbolism, de la Tierra uses his art to bring awareness to urgent issues such as the environment and the rapid decline of our cultural climate. While de la Tierra makes statements on big picture issues, he does so through a deeply personal lens by including his own struggles.
As a recovering addict, art is an integral part of de la Tierra’s healing. De la Tierra strives to showcase his own vulnerability in his work to challenge the norms set by a patriarchal society.
Culturally Specific Art Category
Select Culturally Specific Art Category:: Latino/a Art