Jose Luis Cuevas
| José Luis Cuevas | |
|---|---|
| Born |
February 26, 1934 Mexico City, Mexico |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Known for | Painting, Drawing, Illustrating, Printmaking, Sculpting, Writing |
| Movement | Modernism, Neo-figurativism, Mexican Muralism |
| Awards | National Prize for Arts and Sciences of Fine Arts (1981) |
| Website | Official website of José Luis Cuevas |
José Luis Cuevas is a Mexican artist and was one of the first to challenge the then dominant Mexican muralism movement as a prominent member of the Generación de la Ruptura (Breakaway Generation). He is a mostly self-taught artist, whose styles and influences are moored to the darker side of life, often depicting distorted figures and the debasement of humanity. He has remained a controversial figure throughout his career, not only for his often shocking images, but also for his opposition to writers and artists who he feels participate in corruption or create only for money. In 1992, the José Luis Cuevas Museum was opened in the historic center of Mexico City holding most of his work and his personal art collection.
José Luis Cuevas was born on February 26, 1934, to a middle-class family in Mexico City. He was born on the upper floor of the paper and pencil factory belonging to his paternal grandfather, Adalberto Cuevas. Cuevas himself stated that “perhaps because I was born in a paper mill and pencil factory, paper has always held a great fascination for me. He attended primary school in Colonia Roma, where his family moved to live after his grandfather died." He spent his childhood observing people on the streets and places such as the public market, which then he would recreate using bits of colored paper from his grandfather’s factory. His talent manifested early, winning first place in a children's competition for a self-portrait entitled “Niño Obrero” (Child Laborer). The award gained him the nickname of “el güerito pintor” ("the little fair-skinned painter.")
When he was ten years old, he began studies at the National School of Painting and Sculpture "La Esmeralda", and he also started to illustrate newspapers and books. However, he was forced to abandon his studies in 1946 when he contracted rheumatic fever. The illness left him bedridden for two years. During this time, he learned engraving work taught by Lola Cueot of Mexico City College.
At age fourteen, he rented a space on Donceles street to use as a studio instead of returning to school as his poor health meant that did not know how long he might live. He decided it would be better to dedicate himself to his art. Cuevas learned how to horse back ride and basket weave for money. He worked on illustrations for The News, and despite his lack of formal training, he taught art history classes at Coronet Hall Institute.
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