Pasadena Historical Landmark and Treasure

Quetzalcoatl - 1968

Designed by Ernest M. Saenz and painted with the assistance of local teenagers from Mary Street, Pasadena
El Centro de Accion (Corner of Del Mar and Fair Oaks, Pasadena, CA)
Painted Mural (retouched and painted over in parts during the years)

Ernest M. Saenz is the only Chicano Artist arrested for his artwork in the 60s and 70s.  He was a major contributor to the Grafitti and Street Art movement of the 80s and went into recluse in the 90s.  In the 2000s, he went underground and published extremely political satirical cartoons, spoofs and often material considered "Over the Edge" of civility, but none the less - true.  He is back and has been declared the Father of Chicano Minimalism.

Out From Under Ground

The Edgeware Gallery (http://www.edgewaregallery.com), located in San Diego's Kensington District, is featuring the works of over 35 San Diego street artists, live street art performances this Art Show has brought together street artists from the 1960s to the present for the first time in San Diego. The event is a fundraiser for the Autism Research Institute (http://www.autism.com).

Ernest M. Saenz - an artist known for challenging the status quo and an icon of the East Los Angeles graffiti movement of the early 60s will be presenting a live show at the event's opening. One of Saenz' murals has be declared a historical landmark in Pasadena, Ca (http://ww2.cityofpasadena.net/arts/walktour/Tour7.asp). Saenz was dubbed the Father of Chicano Minimalism by Gregg Stone, artist and curator of the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art. Stone has been featured in Low Rider Magazine for his works on the street life of La Coahuila, Tijuana's Red Light District (http://www.lowriderarte.com/featuredartists/lrap_0803_featured_artist_gregg_stone/index.html).

The opening date of the event is on July 24, 2010 from 5PM to 9PM at the Edgeware Gallery, 4186 Adams Ave. San Diego, 92116. Please call Mark Rimland at (619) 534-8120 for more information.

Hierarchy of Artists Influence from Courbet to Saenz

Courbet (1819-1877)



Monet (1840-1926)



Renoir (1841-1919)



Cezanne (1839-1906)



Gauguin (1848-1903)



Matisse (1869-1954)



Marc (1880-1916)



Gris (1887-1927)



Picasso (1881-1973)



Braque (1882-1963)



Zorthian (1911-2004)



Saenz (1952- )




The works above illustrate the progression of influences from Coubert to Saenz via direct contact of the artists listed.

Saenz served as the Director of Art for Zorthian's Ranch for Children in the late 70s and early 80s. At the age of 13, Saenz met Col. Jirayr H. Zorthian in the mid-sixties at the Pasadena Art Museum. Saenz was the museums's newspaper delivery boy. Saenz studied with Zorthian and other acclaimed artists through his association with the Pasadena Art Museum. Including Rothko, DuChamp and Warhol.

Saenz is recognized as the creator of Chicano Minimalism. A credit given to him by Gregg Stone, Curator of the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art. His last existing mural has been declared a historical landmark in Pasadena View Here."