Esau Andrade & Friends art show coming to the Folk Tree

From June 6 – July 3, The Folk Tree presents the exhibition ESAU ANDRADE & FRIENDS. Andrade, a painter born in Tepic Nayarit, Mexico, and currently living in Tijuana, comes from a family of folk artists. This show includes work by Andrade, his mother Guadalupe Valencia, and his brother Raymundo Andrade, as well as that of several of his artist friends from Mexico and Los Angeles. The opening reception (with a musical performance of original songs and covers by Mayu Wakisaka from 3-5 P.M.) is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, from 2 – 6 P.M.

Andrade’s compositions are a “visual fusion of folk art and Magritte” (Kirkus Reviews), combining surrealist thought and the naivety of traditional folk art. “In the best tradition of Latin American surrealists, he works with a variety of pop culture and Latino symbols, skillfully twisting their meanings” (from papertigers.org, a website about books in English for young readers). Andrade’s inspirations include Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamayo. Most of his work is done in oil, but he also uses tempera paint and watercolor.

Having grown up in a creative environment, it is not surprising that many of Andrade’s friends are fellow artists, se veral of whom he has invited to participate in The Folk Tree exhibition. Among these individuals are Patricia Avellaneda, Marilu Casas, Francisco Cisneros, Ada Colorina, Paulico Cobian, Alfredo Davalos, Dea Dick, Mercedes Gertz, Sandra Guillen, Pablo Lopez, Luvi, Felipe Morales, Lourdes Carrillo Reyna, Jaime Rodriguez, and German Rubio.

Esau is the illustrator, with his mother, of a book of poems by children, When Words Dream (A Hundred Ways, 2006). He also illustrated A Perfect Season for Dreaming/Un tiempo perfecto para sonãr, written by Benjamin Alire Saenz (Cinco Puntos, 2008). Andrade’s work is represented in collections throughout the United State, including the Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, CA.

The Folk Tree is located near the heart of Old Pasadena at 217 S.20Fair Oaks Ave. Gallery hours are: M-W, 11-6; Th-Sat, 10-6; Sun, 12-5. 626/795-8733.