Citizen Artist: Ramiro Gomez

Born in California’s Inland Empire to immigrant parents, Los Angeles–based artist Ramiro Gomez saw firsthand the struggles of new Americans, an experience that has shaped his work. Taking David Hockney’s iconic 1960s Southern California scenes as both starting point and object of critique, Gomez’s paintings and sculptural cutouts make visible the people whose largely overlooked labor supports such upper-class idylls – the gardeners, maids, maintenance workers, and pool boys. CHF Emeritus Artistic Director Lawrence Weschler joins Gomez for a conversation about his work and a recent exhibition at Mana Contemporary Chicago.

The annual Richard Gray Visual Art Series recognizes a significant gift from founding CHF board member and distinguished art dealer Richard Gray. This program is presented in partnership with the Institute for the Humanities at the University of Michigan and with Mana Contemporary Chicago.