1979 Born in San Antonio, TX, raised in Houston, TX
1995 San Antonio , TX begins to search for his voice in art.
Graffiti and abstractions take form
1998 Begins studio painting
- 2006 2nd Sight Studio opens, James travels back and forth to New Orleans ( Paints in Jackson Square)
- 2008 Curator for C.A.L.O. (Contemporary Art and Literature Organization)
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2009-14 Teaches art, The San Antonio School for Inquiry and Creativity
- 2018 Opens NMDK Studio
- 2018 Opens Gaslyght Modern
James Saldivar has worked as Curator and board member for C.A.L.O.’s (Contemporary Art and Literature Organization) Una Noche de La Gloria. He has taught at the The San Antonio School for Inquiry Creativity for four years as the High School Arts Director, James taught not only his student but the rest of the teachers on how to teach their classes through art with various projects and working with them side by side infusing both classes to gain the best possible results from the students. Saldivar now teaches out of his studio .
James was born in San Antonio, and moved to Houston, TX as a child where he was raised. He lived in Houston for 12 years before moving back to San Antonio where he has lived and worked to present time. His paintings consist mostly of abstracts with a strong language of color and the dialogue of how it creates, changes, and moves mood. “Color and the emotion are what intrigues me most of all, the conversations they have and how one without the other just doesn’t seem make sense.”
Since the 1990’s his work has involved the juxtaposition of color. The works since then have gone from graffiti, and abstracts to conceptual works, figuration, and back to conceptual abstraction. What he’s working on now has a touch of his philosophy on life. It’s representational ( in a metaphysical sense), conceptual, and abstract all wrapped
up .
His current body of work, the "Organics" is a touch back to the beginning days in his studio. Over the years and being away from them they seemed to have evolved . The contemplation on research he’s done on the chemicals he uses to create his wet on wet fluid technique he needs for his paint to flow, have definitely grown and minimalized. He moved away from them in 2010 to focus on his “Drips”. Each painting in this series has a strong, moving, and very emotional backdrop. His reason for painting and the need to speak his mind through them leaves James at a very vulnerable position which can be taken advantage of, and does at times, yet this only proves to feed his work with more experience and wisdom to continue on his journey through life and his work as the universe sees fit. Saldivar's techniques the " Organics” and the "Drips" are both representing how we as humans have the need/ want to control our lives and as much as we can. The universe is going to do what its going to do no matter what we want. At times it may seem as if we have control but don’t be mistaken, it’s just a falsity and merely coincidence.
jamessaldivar.com
James Saldivar
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Professional Experience |
- 2ND Sight Studio Owner 2007-Pesent - Murals - Painting/ Figurative, Abstract, Mixed Media - Drawing/ Charcoal, Pastel, Colored and Graphite Pencil, Markers - Art Teacher, The San Antonio School for Inquiry and Creativity 2009-11 - Steering Committee Member - Una Noche de la Gloria
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Exhibitions
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Individual Shows 2018 " The I in Us" Frieght Gallery, S.A.,TX
Group Shows
2013 "Nine Lives" Silkworm/ Lonestar Art District, S.A.,TX 2009-11 “Una Noche de la Gloria’ Historic Guadalupe Arts District, S.A.,TX 2009 “Black, Red,and White” High Wire Arts, S.A., TX 2008-11 “On and Off Freds. Rd Bihl Haus Arts,, S.A.,T X 2007 “Visiones de Virgin de Guadalup”e Centro Cultural Aztlan, S.A.,TX 2007 “Culture Vulture “ Mandala Art Gallery. S.A.,TX 2007 “Huevos Ranchero”s Gala Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, S.A.,TX 2007 New works Circle Infiniti Art Space, S.A.,TX 2007 S.M.A.R.T Fest One9Zero6 Art Gallery, S.A.,TX
Curatorial shows
Collaborative/ Assisted Murals
2008 Feb. Assisted with Community Mural Project / Mannhcke Park Neighborhood Association in conjunction with the Witte Museum and the Office cultural Affairs, San Antonio, Texas 2007 Aug. Assisted with “Brighter Days” Community Mural Project/ West side Mental Health Clinic in conjunction with San An to Cultural Arts , San Antonio, Texas 2007 June Assisted with 30th Anniversary Community Mural Project, Presa Community Center, San Antonio, Texas 1998 May Area 210 Retail Space, San Antonio, Texas 1998 Feb. Valadez Automotive, San Antonio, Texas 1997 Dec. Bumper Outlet “Wall of Fame” Mural Project, San Antonio ,Texas
Independent Murals 2018 Essex Modern City, S.A.,TX 1998 Street Fashions Retail Space, San Antonio, Texas 1997 Sepios Ice House, San Antonio, Texas 1997 La Popular Bakery, San Antonio, Texas
On and Off Freds. Rd Tour Catalogue, 2008-13 http://www.onandofffred.org/Saldivar.html
The Current http://www.sacurrent.com/arts/story.asp?id=71928
San Antonio Express News http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/Art_in_church_Its_not_what_you_might_think.html?showFullArticle=y
Interviews
Great Day SA 1.14.10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFTGpnS3JbI
Latin Fusion TV 10.10.09 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpL6Hl0YiQw
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