René Garcia, Jr. is a full-time artist, father, idea man and all around bon vivant. He was born in Los Angeles and raised in the horse and motocross populated outskirts of Riverside County. He later moved to Northern California for college and settled in San Francisco where he now resides.
While Garcia did not immediately pursue a career as an artist he has always felt he was one. “My sons Kindergarten teachers have this philosophy of teaching kids that an artist isn’t something they have to grow up to be, they are simply artists now. I like that.”
About ten years back Garcia experienced a major turning point, while working as a producer for animated films, that gave him the force to act. He visited the Japanese leg of “JAM: Tokyo London” which he describes as a “breakout show that elevated urban vinyl, motion graphics and graphic design into art and defined the upcoming generation of art superstars like Takashi Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara,” and never looked back.
René, a renowned artist and founding member of the Project One Gallery in San Francisco, seeks to create art that is fun and accessible to all. “I care more about amusement than being provocative…” he says. And his background plays a huge role – “I find that the more up front I am about who I am and what inspires me, the more my art resonates with people.” Much of Garcia’s work attempts to convey very specific attitudes that are deeply rooted in his personal experiences while many he says, “work under pseudonyms or develop monikers. I always present my full name and suffix in honor of my father.” He is very proud to be part of a generation of Colombians who are changing stereotypes and preconceived notions.
You can see his work at the Gauntlet Gallery from this weekend on!
