He was born in Guadalajara in 1959. He is the second of nine brothers and sisters from a conservative Mexican family. From an early age his admiration for nature trapped his attention, and with the interest of assimilating that which he learned, he began to draw.

This is how he generates the necessity to observe his surroundings, analyze it and then translate it into art with the hopes of communicating the interpretation of his existential experiences. His affinity for biological sciences, and the traditional professional focus of his family, took him to conclude his academic preparation as an agronomy engineer and a post graduate in administration.

This type of professional discipline would later prove to be very useful to draw up and implement the technical processes in the production of his art. In the course of these years, drawing became a habit. During the years of his post graduate studies, as a complement to his daily activities he began producing his first formal works -in painting on canvas and wood.  

The acceptance of his early production from his friends and family kept him involved in continuing his production and finding materials to express himself. Until the time came to make a decision, and after a few years of following his professional career, he chose to dedicate himself to his artistic activities full time.

His participation in collective shows, local art festivals as well as single shows have won him prizes and recognition and the commission of monuments in his country as well as others. The theme of his works are primarily characters that are somewhat theatrical, recreational yet somewhat solemn, having the different facets of the human condition sometimes out of context, where the attitudes and characteristics of these characters forge another dimension, and try to open dialogue with the spectators to exchange life experiences.

Gomez honors the ability to navigate in life despite hardships or happenstance. “We need to appreciate those tiny details in our daily life,” he says, “and not give such great importance to the things we can’t do anything about.” Never lacking in humor, he not only pokes fun at those around him but also at himself. In fact, if there is a secret to his work, it’s that he allows himself to laugh.

The tragedy of chains, of life lived in a cage, of bound hands and feet might be depicted, but with humor. With his sensitive use of bronze, “the most malleable of materials,” he speaks without words. “When you are fortunate to get the attention of the public, it becomes important what you say. You have a certain responsibility. Your work becomes a testimony to that community.”

At 27 years old, he made the decision to dedicate the rest of his life to sculpture, to the creative arts, to finding and speaking a new language. With his hands he follows the process through to the end, finding a way to polish the bronze of his newfound tongue that hopefully will never cease to speak miracles.

He sculptures are painstakingly created, no corners cut, perfection is something Guillermo strives for every day and it is reflected in his sculptures. His monuments adorn such cities as:  Guadalajara, Sayula, Yahualica y Concepcion de Buenos Aires in the state of Jalisco. Also in Lima, Peru; La Paz, Baja California; Villahermosa, Tabasco. His bust of Franklin D. Roosevelt, adorned the oval office when President Bill Clinton was in office. A statue to commemorate Cardinal Juan Jesus Posadas Ocampo, the property of Pope John Paul II, now in the Vatican collection.

Many of Guillermo’s sculptures are also in the collection of the National Treasury of Mexico.  It has been several years since he held an exhibition in Vallarta, please join us Friday in welcoming him back to Vallarta.

Friday, February 24th, 2012

 6 to 10pm cocktails

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