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Carlos Lopez: by George Vargas, Ph.D. Occasional Paper No. 56
Sketchy historical records show the existence of a handful of Latino artists in the United States at the turn of the century. During the 1920's, 30's, and 40's, times of national prosperity and growth as well as economic depression, Latino artists increased across the country, including Michigan and the Midwest in general. Limited records show artists of Latino or Latin American origins producing visual expressions diverse in style and theme, representing folk art to mainstream influences. These artists reflected and portrayed their immediate environment as well as the broader American society. Their openness to multiple influences has continued to allow Latinos to respond to trends in American art in a unique way, further enriching the concept of artistic and cultural diversity in Latino art. In the modern period, some Latino artists participated in the federal mural painting projects in the United States. These public art projects were directly influenced by the Mexican mural movement of the 1920's and 30's, both ideologically and aesthetically. In Michigan, despite general interest in Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry fresco cycle (1932-1933) at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Latino art generally speaking, featured less social commentary and more individual expression that encompassed a panorama of styles and aesthetics. Many Latino artists did not refer to elements of their own culture in their work, but instead leaned toward mainstream art in search of personal meaning. Among mainstream artists working in Michigan, Cuban-born Carlos Lopez (1908 - 1953) was one of the most recognized modern painters in the United States. During his lifetime, he received many prestigious awards and commissions. An academically trained landscape and portrait painter, Lopez serves as a vital historical link connecting American modern art in Michigan with a new Latino history of the state. As one of only several Michigan artists, Latino or otherwise, who received federal mural commissions, Lopez also made important contributions to the development of American mural art through his historical murals in Michigan and Illinois. The work of Lopez offers insight into the cultural history of the Latino presence in Michigan, as well as giving us a unique view of popular culture in the United States. For 20 years Lopez played an influential role in the artistic life of Ann Arbor and Detroit as a hardworking art teacher, productive artist, and dedicated American, but today he still remains for the general public a shadowy figure in Michigan history. Hardcopy Price: $0.00
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