Memento Mori Painting

Artist Statement / Bio My first trip out of my hometown was to Mexico City when I was 5 years old, there are a few things that I remember very clearly: our visit to Teotihuacan; the two pyramids of the Sun and the Moon I also remember the grand Zocalo, the Aztec dancers and the colorful street vendors, the Cathedral and the Alameda Central while driving around the city in my Abuelo’s old truck listening to Trio Ballads. I remember being so excited because my mom was always telling me tales about everything, I think that stimulated my imagination and contributed to a love for my culture. My work is mainly inspired by life experiences, rooted in autobiographical details from my childhood and adolescence. I use media to tell stories through my Art and explore questions of identity and gender. With reference to poets, music icons and symbols amid vibrant landscapes, you’ll find yourself delve into an atmosphere of human pain and vulnerability reminiscent of the ex-voto paintings. I celebrate my Mexican heritage using bright colors inspired by folk-art and themes of love and spirituality are often depicted in my paintings. My hope is that people can relate to my story and that my work can transcend time, language, and cultural boundaries. Bio Armando Sebastian was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. At an early age he became interested in theater and fashion, which later evolved into his expression through narrative painting. Sebastian weaves autobiographical details into his work with bright colors and symbols reminiscent of the ex-voto allegory genre. He has been exhibiting his work in the North Texas region for the past decade in venues such as the Arlington Museum of Art and the Latino Cultural Center among others, as well as with galleries based in Dallas, Los Angeles and New York City. In 2017, he was recognized with the Artistic Merit Award granted by the ArtSpace111 in its Fourth Annual Regional Juried Exhibition in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2018, he was included in the juried exhibition, New Texas Talent, at Craighead Green Gallery and was a participating artist in MaricónX, a group show that traveled to multiple cities across the state of Texas. He is a recipient of the Otis Velma Davis Dozier Award from the Dallas Museum of Art. His work has been featured in publications such as PublicArt magazine and New American Pantings among others. Armando Sebastian currently lives and works in Dallas, TX.