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Mario Sanchez
Gallery On Greene is pleased to represent
Mario
Sanchez.
Click on
an image for a larger view.
Fine Art
Reproductions
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4th of July
Cafe
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Tobacco
Before |
The
Pomegranate
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Artistic icon, Mario Sanchez’s passion was depicting the
people of Key West celebrating the distinct spirit of the place
where he was born on October 7th, 1908. His photographic memories of
Key West's treasured history involve fond remembrances of a rich
cultural community filled with the traditions of immigrants of
diverse geographic and ethnic origins.
These qualities affirm their dignity, humor and portray the
challenges they underwent to grow and develop the unique humanistic
values of this special island. Mario’s ideals originate from those
of the great western philosopher Jose Marti.
Mario Sanchez’s folk art has a great sense of artistic power, of
individuality, and technical virtuosity with the irrepressible,
candid charm of the unschooled. His art work resonates authenticity
of voice.
Mario’s originality of method, (intaglios, painted wooden
carving) a kind of independence, speaks loudly to America’s own
self-image. Mario's usual cast of colorful characters are his Cuban,
Afro-Cuban, Bahamian, Afro-Bahamian, Jewish, Chinese and Italian
cigars rollers, street vendors, fishermen, and the everyday common
person who he preserves for history along with their nicknames and
humorous antics from the 1920’s and 30’s when he was a boy.
These carvings are insights into real people’s lives. The good
natured common person who is never a part of history is whom Mario
Sanchez makes special in our eyes because they affirm human dignity.
Someone who no one would remember is alive for us today along with
the old wooden buildings they lived and worked in and most
importantly, their worthwhile values.
In November, 1996, the national magazine Folk Art published a
critically important article focusing on Mario Sanchez's intricate
bas-relief art, naming him the most important Cuban-American Folk
Artist of the 20th Century. In 1991 Florida's Department of State
honored Sanchez with its Florida Folk Heritage Award, recognizing
his lifelong devotion to the arts and his personal contribution to
the nation's rich cultural legacy." excerpt from the book "Mario
Sanchez, Before & After" by Nance Frank, 305-294-1669 at the Gallery
On Greene in Key West, Florida Art Gallery.
Nance Frank has studied with the artist as a major long-term project
and is recognized as the foremost expert on Mario Sanchez works.
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