Works on Paper from the Collection of Cheech Marin

Marin is best known for his acting roles, but is also a director, writer, musician, humanitarian and art collector. As an art collector, Marin has amassed one of the world’s largest private collections of Chicano paintings and artwork in the country. Recently, paintings from his collection has traveled in various exhibitions throughout the country on a national tour through major cities and museums, including the Smithsonian Institution. Papel Chicano, curated by Patty Haberman, MCA Curator, includes pastels, ink drawings, acrylics, and oils on paper. Some of these works have never before been exhibited in Arizona.

Bold and intense imagery rich in color has long been a trademark of artwork created to express the Chicano experience. Papel Chicano includes nearly 40 works -- many never before publicly displayed -- by 19 established artists: Gaspar Enriquez, Diane Gamboa, Margaret Garcia, Raul Guerrero, Roberto Gutierrez, Wayne Alaniz Healy, Adan Hernandez, Leo Limon, Jose Lozano, Chuy Martin, Cesar Martinez, Alex Rubio, Frank Romero, Eloy Torrez, John Valadez, Patssi Valdez, Vincent Valdez, and George Yepes.

For some, the exhibition’s title begs for a definition: What is ‘Chicano?’ To Marin, ‘Chicano’ means ‘Mexican meets American.’. According to Chicano historian Juan Bruce-Novoa, the word ’Chicano’ lives in the hyphen between Mexican-American, but the definition changes with each generation. Marin was once quoted as stating: “It's not a census term like Hispanic…you choose to be a Chicano. I grew up being a Chicano. I didn't feel ‘Mexican-American.’ I didn't feel ‘Hispanic’ and I definitely wasn't the ‘Dick-and-Jane American’…when I got to Chicano, when I heard that term I felt loved. That's me.”

When Marin became financially successful he indulged his lifelong interest in art, specifically Chicano art, because it was something he would relate to. “The first time I saw Chicano art, it's like the first time I heard the Beatles. It was recognizable because it was built on something I knew, but it was really new and different and refreshing and full of life.”

For many, Papel Chicano will serve as an introduction to the inevitable influence of Chicano culture in America. But Marin says “It would have happened anyway…when you view the art and understand the many interpretations, whether social or political and even religious, you see a 360-degree view of the Chicano experience.”

Marin often speaks publicly about his career, his vision and his art collection, and will be speaking September 13 at 7:30 pm in the Piper Repertory Theater. Premier tickets for A Conversation with Cheech Marin are $100, which includes Marin’s talk, private artist reception and autographed Papel Chicano Exhibition Catalog. Regularly priced tickets are $30. All Tickets go one sale to the general public July 14th. Mesa Arts Center Members will be able to buy tickets before the general public.