Art Takeover: The Sequel

If you can recall, in the article “Art Takeover” I spoke a little bit about the night I was introduced to the artist, Hatziel Flores.  If not, allow me to reiterate.  Back in May of 2008, I attended this art show at the F6 Gallery in Arlington, TX.  If I remember correctly, it was an exhibition for all the artists who just wrapped up an artist lock-in.  On this night I was introduced Mr. Flores and his family.  While taking in some of the atmosphere, you know hip-hop music and art; I saw this couch with a painting on the back of it.  I was very intrigued by the thought of someone using a couch as a canvas and had to meet the artist responsible.  Come to find out, the culprit was Hatziel’s Art Takeover partner and long-time friend, Ray Albarez.  So much like his partner, I knew I would have to feature him on The Urban Advocate.  Consider this another phase of the Art Takeover:  This is Ray Albarez. 

Ray Albarez is an artist who was introduced to art at a young age.  Much like many young children, Albarez spent a lot of his time during his childhood drawing.  As a youth, Albarez used to create illustrations of low-rider cars, his favorite video game characters and superheroes.  As he grew into adolescence, he discovered graffiti and became apart of the graffiti crew, The Urban Army.  The Urban Army spent much of their time competing with other local crews in the Dallas/Ft. Worth artist.  Later, fellow crew member, Kame, recruited Hatziel Flores to become apart of the crew; Flores credits The Urban Army and Albarez for pushing him to perfect his craft.  These competitions involved tagging walls, which by the way is widely illegal.  In the minds of Albarez, his Urban Army partner Kame, and other graffiti artists, it was just a way to express themselves.  The desire to express himself and his passion for creating art for others to enjoy, led to some legal troubles for the young artist.  But despite the trouble he got into, Albarez persists that he does not regret the excitement and feelings of accomplishment when peers would admire the murals he created.  It is that feeling that still drives Albarez to this very day.

Ray Albarez saw no other career path for himself other than creating art and is now doing his art professionally.  Albarez often creates visually stimulating conversation pieces.  He has been able to create a lane for himself by painting on everything from a canvas to a couch to old antique chairs.  I mean, can you imagine walking in someone’s home, seeing interesting artwork on the walls and all the furniture have one of a kind artwork on them? That has to be a sight to be seen.  His artwork has been featured in many exhibitions and galleries such as Artes de la Rosa, F6 Gallery and South Side on Lamar.  Albarez has also donated artwork for charitable events and helped rival high school’s students to unite and paint large scale murals.  As a multilayered artist, Albarez has explored many different styles of art from urban, graffiti, 3D, kinetic, and modern surrealism.  It is that versatility that makes it difficult for anyone to label Albarez or put him in a box.  I’m sure he doesn’t want it any other way.

I can always appreciate an artist who is not afraid to take risks.  From his days as a member of The Urban Army, to today as one-half of The Art Takeover, Ray Albarez does not strike me as the type of artist who intimidates easily.  With that approach to art and life, his bounds are limitless.  The Art Takeover is not over, so stay tuned.

~ Remon Johnson