Rufino Tamayo

Born in 1899, he moved to Mexico City at the age of 11 to live with his aunt after becoming orphaned. His studies revolved around art and he devoted himself entirely to creating artwork. He became the head of the Department of Ethnographic Drawing at the National Archeology Museum in Mexico City, where he drew pre-Columbian objects found in the museum’s collection. 

Tamayo’s subjects range from his iconic watermelons, to people, and animals. When describing the importance of his work, he said, “Art is a means of expression that must be understood by everybody, everywhere. It grows out of the earth, the texture of our lives, and our experience.” After the Mexican Revolution, Tamayo strayed from his contemporaries, and started creating work that he believed was representing the traditional Mexico. 

He moved to New York City with his wife from 1937-1948 and had his first show at Weyhe Gallery. Tamayo’s career continued to grow and gain credibility. Along with Luis Rema, Tamayo pioneered a new print-making technique called mixografia. This technique allows for a traditional lithographic print to be created in relief, adding further dimension and texture to the work. 

Tamayo’s work is exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the world, including in many important private and public collections: Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum, Mexico City, Mexico; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City; Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid, Spain; San Francisco Museum of Art, California; The Museum of Modern Art in New York City.