Cinco de Mayo

Hector Silva
"Cinco de Mayo"
2006
Graphite and colored pencil on 2ply museum board.
Courtesy the artist.

I explore themes of cultural identity, because as Latinos we are often erased from the social portrait. But I also think that the “positive image” strategy can be a trap, and, as an artist, I feel responsible for showing art that is not only beautiful but truthful.

I want my work to be accessible, always giving the viewer a way into the image. I feel that “high art” often excludes people, and I am strongly against that. I think art should invite people in and engage them in a conversation, esthetic, political, philosophical, erotic, whatever.

When I make art, my intended audience is not only the person that attends museums and galleries. I feel very strongly that art belongs in the streets. Putting art in the streets has been part of Latino culture for a long time, and we see it all the time, from murals to graffiti. I consider myself part of that tradition.