Xavier Viramontes

Born in Richmond, California, Xavier has a BFA Degree in Painting from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MA Degree in Printmaking from San Francisco State University. He currently teaches printmaking at City College of San Francisco.In the 1970's, he worked with the Galeria De La Raza of San Francisco on a number billboard/mural projects. During this time,
he also designed a poster for the United Farmworkers Union, 'Boycott Grapes7, which is now part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute, National Museum of American Art, in Washington, D.C. His work is also in the permanent collections of Norwalk Community Technical College, Norwalk, Connecticut, and the David and Lucile Parkard Foundation, Oakland, California.

On a yearly basis, he actively participates in shows and print competitions throughout the United States and Europe. He has shown his work in Tokyo, Mexico City, Puerto Rico and Amsterdam. He has won various awards including the James D. Phelan Award in Printmaking in 1993.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

I have been a printmaker for more than 20 years. I specialize in multiple plate etchings. By combining (4) zinc plates, I can develop images with a high degree of detail and a full range of colors.

My work focuses on my life growing up in a Mexican/American household. They touch on rituals and themes that are specific to Latin culture and also touch on universal themes, such as, life and death.

My work, which is narrative, colorful, and sometimes humorous, is meant to be viewed as a celebration of life.

Chocolate Kisses