Michael Marínez is a Xicano artist born, raised and re-delivered to San Antonio, Tejas, as a visual, performance and installation artist. His work has evolved from prissy-sissy to community organizing “Diva.”  Coming of age during the AIDS War of the 1980’s – the pandemic that devastated a generation – Michael served as a founding member of Act-Up Austin.  His service in ACT UP as a Tactical Performance Director, focused mostly on demonstrations at the Texas State Capitol, informed his ever-present propagandist nature.  Then one night, on crowded 6th Street in Austin, Mr. Marínez was attacked in a gay-bashing by fifteen boys/young men, which moved him on a course that would be a persistent theme of his work for the next 25 years. 

Acknowledging the need and importance of being an out gay man, Mr. Marinez returned to San Antonio to work in inner-city communities of the East-, South- and West-sides.  Working with inner-city youth, gang members, youthful offenders, people living with AIDS, and the working poor, he has developed his craft as a cultural worker and educator combining multi-issue social justice organizing with artistic expression.

In 2004, Michael came home to San Antonio as caregiver to his brother Jon-Jon – who succumbed to his battle with AIDS in 2007 – and to his mother Anna Marie Marinez (1924-2015).  Finally and ultimately, Michael is the sixth child of eight indios of Anne-Marie and Joe, the one who was to become a priest, the quiet boy who would grow angry and then loud, el necio Miguelito de la calle de claveles!