Mario

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.

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.

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.