Mel Casas: Human presents six large paintings by the late San Antonio–based artist Mel Casas, co-founder of the Chicano art group Con Safo. Casas is best known for pointed visual statements that question cultural stereotypes and portrayals of Mexican Americans in the media. Selected exhibitions include his participation in the 1975 Whitney Biennial and, in the 1990s, the landmark traveling exhibition Chicano Art: Resistance and Affirmation 1965–1985. Mel Casas: Human is presented in tandem with Pop América, 1965–1975, in which the artist is also featured; the two exhibitions mark the premiere of the artist’s work at the McNay.
This exhibition is organized by Bianca Alvarez, Semmes Foundation Intern in Museum Studies, 2017-2018, for the McNay Art Museum. Lead funding is most generously provided by the Elizabeth Huth Coates Exhibition Endowment and the Arthur and Jane Stieren Fund for Exhibitions.
Mel Casas, Humanscape 36, 1967. Acrylic on canvas. Collection of the Mel Casas Family Trust. © 2018 Mel Casas Family Trust
