Tales of the 408

My first significant art purchase occurred at MACLA in Downtown SJ in 2000. The ever so savvy Anjee Helstrup-Alvarez let this errant, would be art collector know that all the pieces in the exhibition were available for me to take home. Can you imagine? I thought all art work belonged to museums and galleries and at night they all went to sleep in their little art beds! We arranged a two part payment plan and arroz and frijoles were in order for the next several months. Did you know that the original Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter is half Mexican? p.s. FTW stands for Fuck the World. Gotta love Isis Rodriguez, her work inspired me to start collecting art. This piece in particular is in the current exhibition, “A Child’s World” at the Triton Museum of Art in the lovely city of Santa Clara, CA.

Bueno no me gusta la lengua pa comer but I sure do like these lenguas! I recently purchased “Pocha Indigena” by San Jose born (I think?) and raised artist, Viva Paredes. Although she is now based in San Francisco, she maintains strong ties to family, friends and collectors in the 408. The minute I saw this work I knew I had to have it. Its’ a magic mix of cultural pride, sensuality and ancient rhythms. Viva: a fierce Chicana, working glass, hierbas, flor, tierra y memoria, an honor to have her work enter my home.