Alejandro Diaz, born in San Anonio in 1963, is a nationally recognized artist known for his conceptual use of everyday materials and humorous references to politics and institutional critique. He received his Master of Arts from the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College in 1999. He began selling cardboard signs featuring “campy” political slogans on the streets of Manhattan in the late 90s, beginning his career long reputation for irreverently undermining the concept of high art.

The pieces in the Bannister Gallery’s collection were likely purchased from his 2012 solo show at the RISD Museum of Art titled RISD Business. This exhibition, a witty meta-critique of the art world itself, combined curation with creation: Diaz juxtaposed items such as Mexican and African folk art with works by recognized American artists like Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons. Diaz’s cardboard signs were available to purchase at $20 a-piece at the opening of the exhibition, and items such as a signed toaster were awarded with the purchase of a museum membership. The effect of the exhibit was to comment on American capitalism and the commercialization of art and identity.