The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture, commonly referred to as "The Cheech," had been on my mind for a while. As someone who loves visiting museums and takes pride in my Chicano heritage, this museum held a significance that no other could match.
I wasn't just looking forward to seeing art; I wanted to explore a collection of works by artist with upbringings similar to mine. I was curious about the themes they explored, the tools they used, and how they executed their visions. More than that, I was searching for inspiration, give my work a little spark.
Located in Downtown Riverside, California, I decided to take the train to avoid traffic and experience the world I grew up from a fresh perspective. The ride from Norwalk station took a little over an hour, and it was relaxing. The soft suspension and smooth rails offered a level of comfort I wasn't anticipating.
Bringing along my trusty Leica D-Lux 7, to challenge myself in capturing moments to help tell this story. This has been my go-to shooter outside of work. Its portability and exceptional image quality makes it hard to leave behind. Experimenting with formats, it has settings that allows you to change viewing formats like a square one I'm addicted to. Paired with a black and white setting that allows you to see the world without color. I have some experience printing poster sized images from this camera and the quality looks great, the RAW image file size is small and compact too.
Once I arrived, the 15-minute walk to the museum allowed me to explore the city and take it in. I enjoyed adobe style architecture, ornate church moldings, and Gothic-style fonts. One particular font style inspired me so much I created a No Blue Mondays version for a shirt design (linked here).
I explored the museum's exterior to soak in its surroundings before stepping through the front entrance, ready to be fully immersed. The Cheech sculpture greeting before the entrance really gives good vibes. Followed by a warm greeting from the front desk, paid my entry fee, and directed to start with the exhibit on the second floor. The current featured exhibition, Yolanda Lopez: Women's Work Is Never Done (on view from August 31, 2024, to January 26, 2025). A dedicated space that allows visitors to journey through an artist's artistic life, a retrospective.
Lopez's use of Xerox technology in the 1960s immediately caught my attention. This was a time when Xerox was a new and innovative tool, and her incorporation of it into her work was inspiring. It challenged my guilt about using modern tools instead of the traditional methods my artistic heroes used. Seeing how Lopez embraced new technology reminded me that innovation creates fresh opportunities. Reinforcing that I'm on the right path in my own artistic exploration.
Descending the stairs, I was immediately captivated by Gaiatlicue (2022) by the De La Torre Brothers. This massive sculpture is a mesmerizing experience. Its refractive qualities transform as you move closer or step back, creating a futuristic, animated effect. Inspired by the Nahua deity Coatlicue, a symbol of Mother Earth's duality as both giver and taker, the brothers infused their modern twist into this masterpiece. Made of lowrider cars, solar panels, and maps of East Los Angeles and Riverside, the work envisions a renewable future for the Inland Empire.
Other standout pieces included Clavo & Alice (2014) by John Valdez, whose serigraph prints felt alive with their striking poses and vibrant contrasts. A time capsule into the history of Chicano's style.
Ricardo Ruiz's illustrations transported me into a nostalgic, nursery-rhyme-like world brimming with intricate details and hidden characters. His marksmanship is accurate and soothing to the eye.
Francisco Palomores Agarrate Papa (2022) an oil painting execution at the highest level. A symbol that brings fond memories. The scale has an impact and a nice surprise tucked in the corner of the museum.
Frank Romero work The Arrest of the Paleteros (1941). A strong subject that still hits today. The brush strokes are thick and expressive, Its presence pulls you in and difficult to escape its gravity.
In an age where digital screens dominate, seeing art in person remains irreplaceable. It's a spiritual experience, a reminder of the power of expression and the importance of sharing stories through art. Visiting The Cheech renewed my passion and inspired me to keep creating, I was eager to get back to work - because art isn't just something you see; it something you feel.