Teaching Spirituality through Art.
By Toni Fresquez
Published by El Semanario February 13, 1997

 

Stevon Lucero is looking at his life and his work at a very different level. The forty-seven year-old artist is recuperating after heart-surgery. Last year he suffered a heart attack and wasn't aware of it until after a visit to his doctor a few days later. “I thought it was because I was getting fat and old,” jokes Lucero.

 

In a new phases in his life Lucero will present his first exhibit since his surgery, entitled “Quad: 4 Faces of Stevon Lucero,” at the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council (CHAC) with an opening reception of Friday, March 7 beginning at 6:30p.m.

 

In a private tour, Lucero shares a few pieces that will be on display in the show, each one with a personal meaning and his unique spirituality. As one of CHAC's founding members, Lucero felt it important to begin his next phase with the organization. He notes that like himself, CHAC has struggled through its 15-year existence. “It's like going through a resurrection, there's a lot of positive spirit behind it now” expressed Lucero. He expects to display twenty-to-twenty five pieces in his new exhibit.

 

Each one of Lucero's paintings has an interesting dialogue. Emotions are very mixed in his work. Some pieces deal with great pain and struggles – both personal and for his people, some portray the happiness in his children's faces, and some delve into the unknown and can be understood by those with the gift. Lucero carefully explains each symbol, each color, and his emotional state in every painting.

 

When his career as an artist began, Lucero decided that whatever he decided to do in life, he would be the best at it. “One of the thing's that I was dealing with when I became an artist, as a young Chicano, you would look and never see ‘us,' we are marginal people – it's a white man's culture,” explained Lucero. “And I said whatever I do, I'm going to try to be so good at that, so I could break those barriers. Although it seemed egotistical in some people's eyes, my objective was to discover something in art - develop that, go through the process – the mythic process of which society puts you through – which I have lived and you have to have the intellectual construct – and the validation is your experience. If you can survive that and jump the right hoops in the mythic proposition, then you are allowed a place in history.”

 

Lucero is widely known for his brilliant masterpieces that adorned the walls of the great “Aztec” exhibit three years ago at the Museum of Natural History. During our interview, one of his agents called and Lucero politely asked him to call back so that we may continue. He currently has two agents, one in New York and one in Florida. The humble artist has gained national attention with a client list that includes actor Al Pacino.

 

Lucero also hopes to write a book someday on his philosophy in the metaphysical. He explains his current journey, which includes a variety of research that connects his personal experiences in his life and confirms some them in writing by author and visionary Carlos Casteneda.

 

Lucero extends his talent and knowledge to students. Most recently, he was invited to speak at North High School. He explained how upset he was that he did not seem to reach these young Chicano students, “I didn't see any sparks,” said a frustrated Lucero. However, much to his surprise he had made a difference. The teacher called him back at the student's request. “I had awakened a few of them, they wanted to learn more about themselves,” smiled Lucero. “The teacher told me this was the first time that he had seen his class open up like this. It all goes back to what I think we need – a sense of spirituality.”

 

Lucero's exhibit will open at CHAC, 772 Santa Fe Dr., March 7, 6:30pm- 9:00 pm and continue through March 16, Thursdays thru Saturdays, 1-4 an Sundays 1-5 pm. For further information, call CHAC at 303-571-0440.