Ernesto Olmos

Artist Statement

“I am an artist because it makes me feel good when I am able to materialize my artistic ideas from the spiritual to the material world. The spirits of my people guide and inspire me to share my artistic creations with the world. I see myself as a creative instrument through which the culture and values of my ancestors are expressed in modern times.”

Biography

Ernesto Hernandez-Olmos is a multi-talented artist born in Oaxaca, Mexico. Formally educated in Fine Arts at The Autonomous University, Benito Juarez of Oaxaca, Mexico. Ernesto has been engaged in art, honing his craft for over 25 years. He currently runs a wide variety of art and cultural programs in the Bay Area, drawing inspiration from the rich Oaxaca Art landscape. Ernesto has displayed his work in some of the most prestigious art venues in North America including the National Autonomous University of Mexico City (UNAM) and The Oaxacan Institute of Culture; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York NY; Arts and Recidence at The De Young Museum, S.F..CA. The Legion of Honor. S.F CA. The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco CA; The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian ,Washington DC . The Olympic Stadium of Montreal, Canada. As a multi-faceted artist working in various media, Ernesto creates through painting, sculpture, music and dance. He composes music and even designs his own instruments, which include flutes, drums, and whistles. He has painted several murals, including the ones displayed at the MacArthur Bart Station in Oakland.

Art Medium(s)

Oil Paint, Acrylic Paint, Prints and Printmaking, Mixed Media, Ceramics, Sculpture

Group Studio Details

I am a member of the San Rafael LatinX group created with the help of the Multiculturalcenter of Marin

Group Exhibitions

2019
Bartolini Gallery, “Transformations through Life and Death”; San Rafael, CA.
2012
Galeria La Mano Majica ,’’ Oaxacan Paintors’’; Oaxaca, Mexico
2007
“The Ancient God of Fire” Altar, De Young Museum; San Francisco, CA
2007
“Dia de los Muertos”, Oakland Museum, Collectors Gallery; Oakland, CA
2007
“Oaxacan Resistance”, Front Gallery; Oakland, CA
2006
“Oaxaca Spirit”, Back to the Picture / SOMA Art Gallery; San Francisco, CA
2006
“Maiz: Milagro de Vida”, Preserving Native Corn of the Americas, Corazon del Pueblo; Oakland, CA
2006
“Dia de los Muertos” Altar, Picowil Park; San Rafael, CA
2000-2006
“Dia de los Muertos” Fruitvale Festival; Oakland, CA
2005
Legion of Honor, “Dia de los Muertos” Los Mayas de las Cortes; San Francisco, CA
2002-2005
Corazon del Pueblo, “Dia de los Muertos”; Oakland, CA
2003
Prescott Joseph Center; Oakland, CA
2003
Back to the Picture Gallery; San Francisco, CA
2002
Encantada Gallery, “Dia de los Muertos”; Oakland, CA
2002
Oakland Museum, Espíritu sin Fronteras “Day of the Dead”; Oakland, CA
2002
Kaiser Foundation Auction; Berkeley, CA
2001-2002
ProArts East Bay Open Studios; Oakland, CA
2002
Cinco de Mayo, Duran Foundation; Berkeley, CA
2001
Encantada Gallery; Oakland, CA
2001
Galeria Latino América; San Francisco, CA
2001
San Pablo Art Gallery; San Pablo, CA
2001
Black Box Gallery; Oakland, CA
2001
Naropa University; Oakland, CA
2001
Cinco de Mayo Art Pavilion; Oakland, CA
2001
“Espíritu sin Fronteras”, Offerings for Day of the Dead, Oakland Museum of California; Oakland, CA
2001
“Raices de Resistencia”, Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation; Oakland, CA
2001
“Mictlandtecutli”, Galeria Latinoamericana Back to the Picture; San Francisco, CA
2000
Prescott-Joseph Center for Community Enhancement; Oakland, CA
2000
Spanish Speaking Citizens Foundation; Oakland, CA
2000
Hispanic Association of Communications Employees of Pacific Bell; San Ramon, CA
2000
La Peña Cultural Center; Berkeley, CA
2000
Déjà vu Café; Oakland, CA

Publications

2006
Book: Instructor and Featured Guest Artist, “100 Families Project”; Oakland, CA
2005
Book: Featured in “Oakland Museum Celebrations: Day of the Dead”; Oakland, CA
2004
Calendar: Co-Author of “Meso American Archeo Astronomy”; Berkeley, CA
1999
Calendar: Featured on the cover of “Oakland Museum of California”; Oakland, CA

Awards

2010-2011
De Young Museum, Artist-in-Residence, Kimball Education Gallery, “Xibalba, the Sacred Path of Death and Rebirth”; San Francisco, CA
2009
Artist-in-Residence at Mendocino Arts Center; Mendocino, CA
2008

Creative Work Foundation, Artist Grant, ‘’Mesoamerican Calendar of the Cholquij’’; San Francisco, CA
2008-2009
City of Oakland Cultural Arts Department Individual Artist Grant Recipient, “Native Legends and the Elements”; Oakland, CA
2002
City of Oakland Cultural Arts Department Grant Recipient, “Fiestas Tradicionales del mes de Maya” Mobile Mural; Oakland, CA
1997

Grant from Fondo Estatal para las culturas y las Artes, Zona centro de mexico, Casa del Pueblo; Oaxaca, Mexico.
1996
Grant from Instituto Oaxaqueno de las Culturas; Oaxaca City, Mexico
1995
Second Prize, Day of the Dead Altar Competition; Oaxaca, Mexico
1995
Distinguished Recognition, Night of Radishes, Radish Category; Oaxaca, Mexico
1994
Distinguished Recognition, Night of Radishes, Totomoztle Category; Oaxaca, Mexico
1993
First Prize, Day of the Dead Altar competition; Oaxaca, Mexico

Press

Description

2006
Laney College; Ceramic Sculptures; Oakland, CA
1997
Rufino Tamayo Art School; Oaxaca, Mexico
1992-1996
Degree in Painting, School of Fine Arts, Autonomous University “Benito Juarez”; Oaxaca, Mexico

Description