Museum Shop Guest Artist Franco Mondini-Ruiz

Franco Mondini-Ruiz, who is a Tejano of Mexican-American and Italian stock, negates stereotypes by humorously embracing them.

Years ago, Franco Mondini-Ruiz quit a high-paying job in law, paid off his bills, took an extended self-described rite-of-passage-trip into Mexico, and then opened his infamous salon and art installation, the Botanica Infinito, on Flores Street in his hometown of San Antonio.  With this was launched an art career that took him all over the world, moving to New York City, contributing to the 2000 Whitney Biennial, winning the Rome Prize, lunching with the Queen of Egypt and certainly much more.

Drawing from personal experience, his art pieces are often assembled from found objects that have a direct correlation to his life.  Following a tradition of post modernism, he integrates a variety of imagery and iconography into his art.  His irreverent paintings and objects create humorous paradoxes between kitsch and sophisticated, or feminine and masculine identity.  Identifying with his Mexican background Mondini-Ruiz also cleverly explores the similarities and disparities between Chicano and Western art traditions.

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To learn more about this artist and their work visit -

www.francomondiniruiz.com