Post by Christopher H. Paquette
Earthy, organic and deeply connected to centuries old cultural roots, the artwork of Brujo de la Mancha blends perfectly with the casual weathered atmosphere of Rocket Cat Café, the location of Brujo’s installation of paintings, drawings and sculpture which opened on December 7th as part of Frankford Avenue Arts Corridor’s First Friday.
Brujo is more than a visual artist, he is the Artist Program Director for Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac, a Native Mexican dance and cultural group whose mission is to understand and raise awareness of the Mexicayotyl culture, which flourished in Mexico prior to the arrival of the Spanish in 1492. The group also aims to provide new cultural outlets and opportunities for the Mexican community in Pennsylvania, encouraging them to be a part of the preservation of some aspects of Aztec culture.
Brujo’s work is a wonderful mix of his connection to his ancient native Mexican roots and his modern day experience and struggles in immigrating to the United States.
His acrylic Silencio tells the story of his inability to verbally communicate in English when he first arrived, while I’m Dirt is the visual expression of his organic soul. Several of his pieces blend traditional Mexican folk art with found computer parts in an artistic expression that reminded me immediately of In the Absence of the Sacred, the book by Jerry Mander (Sierra Club Books, 1991) that explores the struggles between modern technology and the survival of indigenous cultures.
–Christopher Paquette is both a photographer and a writer. Here’s a link to his blog C.H. Paquette Photography
