Angel Rodriguez-Diaz
Ángel and I had met by chance thirty-five years ago in New York; I was an artist making that slow transition into becoming a photographer, and Ángel was a portrait painter. At that time we had mutual friends in the fashion industry, often referred to as the “Rag Industry”. When I saw one of Ángel’s paintings- a reclining nude mostly painted in the hue of blue with the background mute but decorative, I saw talent. Ángel is both a huge talent with a great sense of humor, capable of both serious and engaging conversation only to be accented with humor.
Angel's "Spirtual Center"
I had the chance to meet up once again with him at his studio in San Antonio, Texas and view both his personnel work, and commissioned portraits-new to his body of work are large installations throughout San Antonio as well as a series of murals for a new hospital, one measuring 30 X 100 feet. This is where the evolution comes in, and is a great addition to any artist resume. An artist studio is as telling as their work; the random objects they collect often appear and reappear in their work whether it’s a primitive mask or a religious icon.
Foyer to Studio
Evolution generally occurs when there is a need, be it for survival or just the simple need to change ones style. In the case of Rodriguez-Diaz, the portraits and commissioned works had flattened-so he turned to the public and private sector to bid on jobs designed for the City of San Antonio as well as private bids for new buildings throughout the City of San Antonio, this is one city that is big on art. It’s everywhere, and it’s a pleasure to take a walking tour. I was there for eight days and there was always an opening or a public meeting, which does one way or another, involve the Mexican community, as this was once their land. It’s also hard to escape that fact when viewing Rodriguez-Diaz’s work, it’s filled with both historical and political tones.
DNA Mural in Hospital
Evolution also occurs as Rodriguez-Diaz is from Puerto Rico and now has become a “TexaRican”, also a slow process laced with humor. His work can be found at San Antonio Museum of Art, National Portrait Gallery-Smithsonian Institution, El Museo del Barrio, ArtSpace, Intar Gallery, New York; Oller/Campeche Gallery, New York; Ollantay Center for the Arts, Queens New York; Mendelson Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA; and the Museum of Fine Arts, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Blue Star, San Antonio-Texas.