Visiting Artists

Artist's Statement

González focuses on the exploration of identity by questioning the expectations passed down from generation to generation. Emphasizing the influences of early development and its ramification throughout a lifetime creates a dialogue in understanding its foundation. Set within the framework of the household, questions arise that touch upon authority, gender roles, the idea of control or lack thereof, the interplay of power within a family unit, and generational bonds.

As a sixth generation Tejano growing up in South Texas and family ties in Mexico, it allows González the opportunity to explore the history inherited or lost through time. In addition, creating his own iconography through autobiographical depictions of maturing in a rural environment with the prospect of contributing to the homestead is evident in the imagery and installations.

Bio

Omar González is a printmaker and adjunct professor at Texas A&M University – Kingsville. In 2020, he graduated with his Master of Fine Arts at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Previously, he obtained a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Fine Arts at Texas A&M University – Kingsville in 2009 and 2014, respectively.

His work is included in collections located at the National Museum of Mexican Art (Chicago, IL), Mexic-Arte Museum (Austin, TX), and Zuckerman Museum of Art (Kennesaw, GA). Some of his work can also be located in Canada, France, Germany, China, Australia, and have exhibited across the U.S. González is also a member of the Professional Artist Network with Speedball Art Products.

Artist's Statement

In my work I seek to provide a narrative to the American experience from my perspective. I do this by telling stories using imagery and composition. Told from my perspective, these stories are personal to me however I've found that they’re not unique to me. These are the stories of our community and culture told under the backdrop of our current climate. Easily relatable because we share in our struggles and triumphs.

I stack imagery in my work to provide structure to the narrative. Sometimes the stack of objects is chronological, a linear timeline starting from the base then moving to the top. In other cases the imagery could be in order of relevance or importance. The object at the bottom of the piece holds that placement because without it nothing else could stand, it’s what that object represents that is the foundation of the story.

Identity and cultural assimilation has become a central theme in my recent work. What does it look like to lose cultural identity through generations and how do we balance that transformation while living in a society that assigns ideas and identity to people based on physical appearance? What does it mean to lose our native language? What should we let go of and fight to hold on to? Where is the line between embracing who I currently am in this life and honoring the past identity of my ancestors? These thoughts and questions are oftentimes unique to immigrants and their families as they come into the US. That’s who this recent body of work is for and who it represents. The work is an open dialogue that can bring comfort to those who relate to it and provide insight to those who are outsiders.

Bio

Benjamin Muñoz is a Dallas based artist whose primary focus is printmaking. His work is often reflective of his heritage, upbringing, and current surroundings. Muñoz stacks the imagery in his work to symbolize the idea of everything in life being dependent on what came before it. A largely self taught artist, Muñoz has had several solo exhibitions throughout the United States and his artwork is in several museums and private collections across the United States such as the Mexic Arte Museum and the National Museum of Mexican Art. Muñoz currently serves as board

president of Print Austin and is the founder/director of Familia Printshop in Dallas, Texas. His work has been published and discussed in several arts and culture publications, blogs, podcasts and portfolios. Muñoz regularly gives artist talks at museums, galleries, and universities throughout the country.