The Bandera Kronkosky Library began their celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month by presenting a program on noted Chicano artist Adan Hernandez.
Over 30 people came out Friday, Sept. 11, to hear James Hernandez, local non-profit leader, speak about his father’s life. This tribute to a South Texas artist kicked off the Library’s month-long recognition of the contributions of Hispanic people to American arts and culture.
This recognition began as a commemorative week in 1968 under the support of President Lyndon Johnson and President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a month-long event in 1988. The timing of the celebration coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras.
Those five nations declared independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. Mexico declared independence from Spain on September 16, 1810.
Chile also declared its independence that week on September 18. Belize declared its independence from Great Britain on September 21, 1981.
“Not all of the contributions made by Hispanic Americans to our society are so visible or so widely celebrated, however. Hispanic Americans have enriched our nation beyond measure with the quiet strength of closely knit families and proud communities,” President George H. W. Bush noted.
Mr. Hernandez spoke about his father and family’s contributions to art. Adan Hernandez began his life as a migrant farm worker.
Through the development of his art Hernandez rose to a highly respected Chicano artist who portrayed the lives of Hispanic people in shades of blue with a “Hispanic Noir” flavor.
James remembered his father as a man who was willing to try many methods to ensure his art stayed fresh and accurately depicted Hispanic culture. His father was a hard worker and always had a joke or laugh ready for his family.
Mr. James Hernandez spoke about his father’s artistic process which began with pencil sketches of his subject and was translated into pastels, and then worked into wood cuts/carvings, and then finally rendered in paint.
Notably, Hernandez also used air brushed backgrounds to make his subjects stand out. His father also created folk art by using furniture as a background for his artistic topics.
Adan Hernandez is a highly collected artist from San Antonio. Comedian Cheech Marin, of Cheech and Chong, as well as Hollywood director Taylor Hackford and his wife actress Helen Mirren are collectors of his work.
Hernandez’s paintings have been displayed at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and at several museums in San Antonio. His art has been a part of international tours put together to reach out with Hispanic culture and portray the “Hispanic Vision.”
Hernandez was deeply involved in the production of the movie “Blood In Blood Out” or alternatively known as “Bound By Honor.”
He provided over 30 original paintings that appeared in the movie as well as a large mural. This movie is considered a seminal work depicting life in the barrio in the 1970’s through the early 1980’s. It is considered one of the best crime films of the 1990’s and has been named as a cult classic.
The crowd was enthusiastic with their interest in Hernandez’ art. The audience was a mix of the art crowd and library supporters. The group was composed of members of the Bandera art scene like Tamara Talamantes and filmmaker Dennis Allyn.
Bandera notables like Rebecca Norton, Toni Kunz, Yessenia Torres, Dr. Veronica Ordaz-Collazo, Kimmie Williams, Minnie Webster, Kathy Teich, Anna Montague and Patti Pyle also attended the event.
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