Chuck Ramirez was a San Antonio artist and graphic designer whose work includes prints and sculptural installations. His pieces revolve around everyday life and allude to ethnicity, gender, sexuality and religion. This month, the McNay Art Museum presents Chuck Ramirez: All This and Heaven Too to honor the life and career of the iconic San Antonio artist. His large-scale photographs of everyday objects offer a perspective on cultural consumption and waste and the reality of fleeting life and mortality. The exhibition opens on Thursday September 14 and will run until Sunday January 14, 2018. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10a.m. to 4p.m., Thursday from 10a.m. to 9p.m., Saturday from 10a.m. to 5p.m. and Sunday from 12p.m. to 5p.m. Admission prices are available online.  (McNay Art Museum, 2017)

Ramirez was inspired by opposing themes like life and death and humor and despair. His art explores a personal narrative including his San Antonio upbringing, Mexican-American heritage and HIV status. The exhibition consists of works like Santos, Trash Bag, Quarantine and Seven Days and all explore the human experience. It is co-organized by René Paul Barilleaux, the McNay’s Head of Curatorial Affairs and Hilary Schroeder, 2016-17 Semmes Foundation Intern in Museum Studies. The presentation includes photographs from approximately 20 of Ramirez’ series, Bean & Cheese, a recreation of one of the artist’s early exhibitions at Artpace San Antonio, examples of video and installation work, nine decorated Christmas trees the artist made for friend and patron Linda Pace and other unique artworks.

Visitors will have several chances to interact with the exhibition with Christmas Tree trimming, alternative selfies and sharing about first jobs and dream jobs. Interactive stations include Tree Trimming – decorate a tree with Chuck Ramirez-inspired objects; Check Your Baggage – take an alternate self-portrait, or picture of something personal, at this overhead photography station using the hashtag #checkyourbaggage and Dream Job – visitors can identify their first job, current job and dream job as a way of drawing a line between artist and visitor using the hashtag #mcnaydreaming.

During the Día de los Muertos season, visitors are invited to celebrate and remember loved ones by adding paper marigolds, the traditional Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) flower, to a site-specific altar in the Museum lobby. The McNay’s Día de los Muertos altar, created by artist Carmen Oliver, honors Chuck Ramirez (1964–2010) and will be on display from October 26 through November 5, 2017.

McNay Art Museum
6000 N New Braunfels Ave
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 824-5368