Manhattan Beach Art Center’s newest exhibit impresses with vibrant pieces celebrating Mexican-American culture

By Danielle Smith

Managing Editor

The Manhattan Beach Art Center’s newest exhibition “Jose Lozano: Chicano Trickster” boasts a collection of vibrant pieces that celebrate Mexican-American culture.

Jose Lozano’s distinctive use of bright colors and satirical compositions depict a whimsical representation of daily life in Mexican-American neighborhoods. Lozano conveys a narrative through his mixed-media works that reveals his humorous approach to addressing social reality.

“Jose Lozano: Chicano Trickster” features a multitude of Lozano’s graphite drawings, acrylic paintings and other mixed-media works. In addition, a display case located in the center of the gallery contains illustrations from Lozano’s children’s books.

Jose Lozano received his Master of Fine Arts from California State University, Fullerton after spending his childhood traveling between Southern California and Mexico with his family. His artwork and children’s books illustrations have been exhibited in many local galleries including the UCLA Armand Hammer Museum in Downtown Los Angeles.

Lozano’s use of bright, lively colors including teal, yellow and neon pink, illustrates his playful approach to painting. With the exception of his graphite drawings, each piece features a rich color palette that demands attention, creating a joyful and celebratory mood.

In addition, Lozano repeatedly includes dynamic backgrounds in his pieces. One such piece, “Seis Tipas Sospechas,” depicts dozens of faces staring with blank expressions behind an overlay of six portraits painted using acrylic. The highly intricate background does not detract from the piece but instead adds intrigue to the otherwise simple composition.         

The majority of pieces throughout the exhibit feature people conversing with one another and participating in group activities. Lozano successfully captures the Chicano sense of community within his art, weaving a narrative that provides viewers insight into the everyday lives of Chicanos by portraying seemingly mundane scenes and routine acts such as getting dressed in the morning in a comedic light.

The collection of Lozano’s drawings for his children’s books feature many of the same aspects prevalent in his larger works. Lozano’s attention to detail is obvious, as he fills each page with an individual scene, leaving little to no white space. The pages demonstrate Lozano’s ability to create art that is both relatable and entertaining.

The striking choice to paint the walls of the gallery various shades of yellow and tan complements the vibrant palettes utilized by Lozano. The muted shades are warm in contrast to typical stark-white gallery walls, creating a welcoming environment reminiscent of Mexican pueblos.

“Jose Lozano: Chicano Trickster” is a festive exhibit that draws attention to the Chicano culture in Southern California. Lozano’s pieces are delightfully playful, engaging viewers with their complex compositions and vibrant color schemes.  

“Jose Lozano: Chicano Trickster” is on display at the Manhattan Beach Art Center, located at 1560 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, until Oct. 8. Admission to the exhibit is free.