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 who is a self-taught
painter, sculptor, and illustrator. What began with street art has transitioned onto canvas and
beyond. With support from his community, and his mentor, Albert Gonzales, De la Tierra
became self-employed as a full-time artist in October 2017. De la Tierra 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 paint, and oil
paint, De la Tierra creates heavy textures on canvas in a modern and raw style of whimsical and
surreal abstract expressionism.

In the same year that De la Tierra launched himself into art full-time, he began leading and
collaborating with The Black Sheep Collective; a group of D.I.Y. misfit artist extraordinaires.
Together they have organized six pop-up gallery exhibitions and performances. De la Tierra’s
artwork has been shown in various news outlets, including La Prensa, Spectrum News, Texas
Public Radio and in art galleries including Mexican Cultural Institute, Mexic-Arte Museum,
and Presa House Gallery. De la Tierra has had five solo exhibitions, his fifth one being at
Territory Gallery. He was recently awarded an Individual Grant by the city of S ... view more »

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.