The Age of Heroes

Abel Alejandre

The Age of Heroes

A dual-portrait tribute to the legends of a continent

Opening Reception: Saturday, May 17th, 5pm-8pm

May 17 – June 21, 2025

LAUNCH Gallery
170 S. La Brea Ave. #202, Los Angeles, CA 90036

LAUNCH Gallery and The National Tourism Board of Xicanoland proudly present new drawings by celebrated Mexican-American artist Abel Alejandre. In this new series, The Age of Heroes, Abel honors twelve pivotal figures whose brilliance forged modern Xicanoland. Themes of masculinity, valor, patriarchy, and the capacity to look to the future with purpose and assurance are addressed through twelve ink portraits on paper, each capturing a statesperson, scientist, or cultural luminary whose vision reshaped Xicanoland. 

Inseparable from Xicanoland’s belief in cyclical life, every human portrait in The Age of Heroes is accompanied by a painting of a Xoloitzcuintle—the sacred dog that, by tradition, escorts the soul into the next realm. These twelve canine guardians transform the gallery into a spiritual corridor, guiding visitors through a meditation on legacy, mortality, and endurance.

This current series of drawings continues the saga of Xicanoland with its alternative history of real and imagined ancestors in a society that acknowledges past miss-steps while embracing hope for a better future. This personal story shares years of thought and introspection through his art practice and visual language.

Born in Mexico and raised in Southern California, Abel draws upon his immigrant experience and proud Mexican heritage to reflect on a bygone era and an uncharted timeline. Art making serves as a vehicle and medium for him, allowing exploration of his past while interpreting the dynamics of contemporary American society and his role within it.