Paul Valadez:
Selections from the Great Mexican-American Songbook

November 10, 2018 - April 21, 2019

Small Works Gallery | Floor 2

Using vintage sheet music of the “Great American Song Book” as his backdrop, Paul Valadez re-envisions the idea of the songbook, integrating nostalgic images with “Spanglish” text, resulting in a dichotomy of oblique visual ideas that are equal parts humor and social commentary. Valadez uses metal, acrylics, text, and mixed media to create a concept of “old signage,” with subtle hints of race, culture and history. His current work is autobiographical with semi-satirical social commentary inspired by his childhood memories of growing up in a bi-cultural household.

These works are drawn from the Nevada Museum of Art’s permanent collection.

IMAGE 1: Paul Valadez, Calabacitas informer, from "The Great Mexican-American Songbook", 2016, mixed media collage on found paper, 18 x 12". Collection of the Nevada Museum of Art, Gift of the artist. IMAGE 2: Paul Valadez, Carne Enchilada, from "The Great Mexican-American Songbook", 2016, mixed media collage on found paper, 18 x 12". Collection of the Nevada Museum of Art, Gift of the artist. IMAGE 3: Paul Valadez, Quesadilla, from "The Great Mexican-American Songbook", 2016, mixed media collage on found paper, 18 x 12". Collection of the Nevada Museum of Art, Gift of the artist. IMAGE 4: Paul Valadez, Huauzontles, from "The Great Mexican-American Songbook", 2016, mixed media collage on found paper, 18 x 12". Collection of the Nevada Museum of Art, Gift of the artist. IMAGE 5: Paul Valadez, Esta canon, from "The Great Mexican-American Songbook", 2016, mixed media collage on found paper, 18 x 12". Collection of the Nevada Museum of Art, Gift of the artist. IMAGE 6: Paul Valadez, Tener una debilidad por odio, from "The Great Mexican-American Songbook", 2016, mixed media collage on found paper, 18 x 12". Collection of the Nevada Museum of Art, Gift of the artist.