Abel Alejandre is a Mexican-born, United States-based hyperrealist artist, best known for his explorations of masculinity and vulnerability. Working primarily in pencil, Alejandre creates intricately cross-hatched drawings that can take months to complete. Alejandre’s series of twelve panels, “Panoramas,” is featured at the Los Angeles Metro Rancho Park/Westwood station.

Alejandre also creates woodblock prints using both a giant press he built himself and by hand printing. His monumental My Fathers, which is in the permanent collection at the National Museum of Mexican Art, in Chicago, Illinois, was created by the latter method.

Abel Alejandre, Fullerton College Artist in Residence 2017 from Fullerton College Art Gallery on Vimeo.

The Fullerton College Art Department is one of the select few college art departments in the nation can boast of a viable and prestigious Artist in Residence program. When California artist Wayne Thiebaud helped launch the first residency in the early 1970s, the Art Department perhaps had no idea that a new chapter in its history was about to be written. Who really knew then that this “happening” would grow into the most important and defining tradition of the department? Decades later, this yearly event continues to inspire not only students and staff, but also the local Art community. We continue to welcome top-flight national and international artists who represent a wide range of styles, themes and issues in their work. The impressive list of guest artists include Miriam Schapiro, Frank Romero, Mia Tavonatti, and Gronk Nicandro, just to name a few.

On episode #19 of Modern Art Blitz I discuss my recent solo show and Metro Expo Line station opening.

First up, artist Abel Alejandre (2:12) joins host Mat Gleason to discuss his recent solo show and Metro Expo Line public art installation with host Mat Gleason and Co-Host Lisa Derrick. Then art writer Shana Nys Dambrot (13:30) visits to discuss many aspects of her celebrated career.

Watch the premiere of Modern Art Blitz with Mat Gleason and co-host Lisa Derrick with special guests Carol Diehl and Abel Alejandre on DromeBox.com.

Episode 001 (gets going at 5:55): Special Guest Carol Diehl (enters at 7:43) and Guest Artist Abel Alejandre (enters at 27:11) join host Mat Gleason, Co-Host Lisa Derrick (speaks up first at 6:20) and Intern Rebekah (24:35).

LACMA9 Art+Film Lab and Self Help Graphics
Oral Histories: Abel Alejandre
The Story that changed my life

Thanks to: Rafael Cardenas, Juan Escobedo, Joel Garcia
Filmed in front of Vincent Price Museum at ELAC

The Story that changed my life from Atelier Visit on Vimeo.

Published on May 10, 2013

Film by Eric Minh Swenson. Music by Josh Garcia

Abel Alejandre is an international artist who works with several mediums including painting, drawing, and printmaking. He immigrated to Los Angeles in 1975 from Apatzingán, Michoacán, Mexico with his mother and his siblings. In 1984, Alejandre painted his first mural for the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics. More recently, has had his work included into the National Museum of Mexican Art’s permanent collection in Chicago. He also collaborated on a film documentary called “Resurrected Histories: Voices from the Chicano Arts Collectives of Highland Park”. Also, was selected to create the artwork for a Metro station as part of the “Expo Line” on Exposition and Westwood. Although, most of his work deals with issues of masculinity, Alejandre also deals with contemporary: culture, class, politics, and race. He uses his art as a buffer between himself and the world. Alejandre creates aesthetically inviting work on the surface, underneath, he confronts his own issues with his emotional experiences and his understanding of the human experience. Alejandre’s work is a personal experiential journey with himself, his viewers, and his art.

For more info on Eric Minh Swenson or project inquiries visit his website : www.thuvanarts.com
ART FILM SERIES: www.thuvanarts.com/take1
MUSIC VIDEOS: www.thuvanarts.com/musicvideos

Published on Aug 6, 2012

Abel Alejandre
La Junta/ The Gathering

Los Angeles artist Abel Alejandre sat down with Mat Gleason to discuss his work and studio practice.

Published on Oct 5, 2011

Avant-L.A. presents independent curatorial visions that celebrate important emerging & established artists. Curated by Mat Gleason. Founded by critic/curator Mat Gleason and creative entrepreneurs and gallerists Michael Napoliello and Maria Frisk, Avant-LA produces fine art exhibitions that connect contemporary artists to the public in unique and exciting ways.
For more info on Eric Minh Swenson or project inquiries visit his website :www.thuvanarts.com

Art series: www.thuvanarts.com/take1
Music Videos: www.thuvanarts.com/musicvideos