Lucero Paints Powerful New Visualizations

Published in El Semanario May 2, 1996

 

In human psychology and in contemporary art, there is an area between the purely abstract and the purely realistic. This is the area in which Denver artist Stevon Lucero maneuvers, exploring the edges of his subconscious mind where thought begins to intrude on the real world. Out of images seen in dreams, visions and separate reality experiences, Lucero creates powerful painted metaphors. His paintings are neither reflections of the visible world as in realism, nor depictions of the subconscious as in surrealism. Lucero's unique visualizations are somewhere in between – so he calls his work Metarealism. The psychological border area is, to Lucero, the source of his creativity. To him, the reality within is more intriguing than the external reality. Internal images become paintings when they have a powerful effect on Lucero. They also become messages that have something to say to all audiences. They are not tied to any specific ethnic group. In his paintings, Lucero is always synthesizing what his introspective vision produces, gleaning forms, themes, and ideas that portray the similarities that unite humanity psychologically, not the differences that divide it perceptually. In contrast, paintings that Stevon classifies in another category he calls NeoPrecolumbian are derived from his ethnic heritage – the themes and symbols in the art of the ancient cultures of Mexico and Central America.

 

Stevon Lucero's work spans a period of 25 years and a variety of mediums. In 1972, he developed his metarealistic style. Six years later, he also began to do large-scale mural paintings. His 1992 mural of the Tlatelolco Market for the Denver Museum of Natural History's “Aztec: The World of Moctezuma” was viewed by more than 700,000 visitors. Lucero's paintings are in collections of noted celebrities throughout the United States and in China, Canada, Italy, France and Mexico.

 

The Museo de las Americas presents “Stevon Lucero and Metarealism” beginning Friday, May 3 and continuing through July 20, 1006. This exhibition is the largest presentation of Lucero's work to date and continues the Museo de las Americans goal of showing the work of local Chicano/Latino artists who are nationally and internationally recognized for the education and inspiration of young,, developing artists in the community.

 

The Museo is located at 861 Santa Fe Drive in Denver. For information and to schedule tours, call 303-571-4401