A wide shot of a ceramics studio, featuring students working with pottery wheels and other tools.

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Herman Aguirre

Lecturer

Contact

Bio

BFA, 2014, School of the Art Institute, Chicago, IL; MFA, 2017, School of the Art Institute, Chicago, IL. Exhibitions: Zolla Lieberman Gallery, Chicago; Portrait Society Gallery, Milwaukee, WI; Steve Turner Gallery, Los Angeles, CA. Publications: New American Paintings Issues #129, #137, #143; Studio Visit Volume # 39, #44. Collections: National Mexican Museum; Permanent Collection, Chicago, IL; Rockford Art Museum; Permanent Collection, Rockford, IL. Awards: Fine Arts Work Center Residency, Provincetown, MA; Leonore Annenberg Foundation Fellowship.

Personal Statement

The works are composed of visual representations depicting traumatic events
that shape the world around me. As a Mexican American, I use my identity, culture, and traditions as a potent form of inspiration. Through the materiality of paint, I try to capture the essence of an image referencing personal and public events. I explore abstract and representational ideas to bring forth the immediacy of issues regarding war, trauma, and loss. Whether political, social, or personal: the objects, images, and events depicted become conduits for obsessive ideas.

I undergo the spiritual process of mourning while commemorating those who have been subject to mayhem, violence, and war. In response to such shocking and traumatic events, I forge the victims’ found remains. Through the use of references, paint, and paint skins I fabricate the individuals and clothing left behind on the day of their massacre.

As a small gesture, I entangle their remains with trinkets, flowers, and photos symbolizing the fragility of their lives and the malleability of remembrance. Covering their brown, grey, and blackened bodies with slivers of fresh cools and radiant reds; fields of color engulf the broad surface with elegance. These events have transformed into memorials that should not be forgotten.

Ultimately, the work generated is made out of adoration towards my family and the love of my people. By embracing these subjects, I allow a visual representation to symbolize the human condition we live in and the issues we face collectively. These paintings not only acknowledge current events, but also allow for each object, image, or event to continue having a presence not only today but also in the future.

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

Designed for students with little or no experience in oil painting, this course introduces the specific materials and processes of the medium. Demonstrations on stretching a canvas, laying out a palette, various paint application techniques, and color mixing provide the fundamentals of oil painting and a strong foundation for creating portfolio-quality work. In addition, color theory, composition, structure, proportion, and perspective are explored through observational painting, as well as exercises that encourage students to confidently experiment to find their own direction and style. Basic drawing and water-based painting experience required. Note: Figure Drawing, Figure Painting, Painting, and Drawing courses may use nude models hired by the School. Other classes may use them to a lesser degree.

Class Number

1166

Credits

1

Description

Designed for students with little or no experience in oil painting, this course introduces the specific materials and processes of the medium. Demonstrations on stretching a canvas, laying out a palette, various paint application techniques, and color mixing provide the fundamentals of oil painting and a strong foundation for creating portfolio-quality work. In addition, color theory, composition, structure, proportion, and perspective are explored through observational painting, as well as exercises that encourage students to confidently experiment to find their own direction and style. Basic drawing and water-based painting experience required. Note: Figure Drawing, Figure Painting, Painting, and Drawing courses may use nude models hired by the School. Other classes may use them to a lesser degree.

Class Number

1174

Credits

1

Description

This course focuses on drawing as an exciting tool for organizing thoughts, feelings, and images. Students develop and strengthen fundamental skills, as well as investigate a range of traditional and contemporary drawing materials and concepts, exploring essential elements of 2D design and contemporary art. Through the study of line, perspective, tone, proportion, composition, value, gesture, and contour, students experiment with a number of wet and dry media such as charcoal, graphite, ink, and water-based paints. Visits to the Art Institute of Chicago and discussion of practicing artists supplement the studio experience (virtual tours of the museum are featured if online). This course is recommended for both beginners and those wanting to improve and develop their current skills and ideas. Note: In-person Figure Drawing, Figure Painting, Painting, and Drawing courses may use nude models hired by the School. Other classes may use them to a lesser degree.

Class Number

1171

Credits

1

Description

Painting Practice is an introductory painting course offering. The curriculum addresses basic skills as related to a painting studio practice. Topics and curricular goals include material, facility and technique, space and color, as well as concept. This course is a prerequisite for all Multi-level Painting, Figure Painting and Advanced Painting Studio classes.

Class Number

1949

Credits

3

Description

This drawing studio serves as a broad introduction to historical and contemporary drawing practices. This course presents drawing as an organizer of thought, experience, and image. Students will investigate a full range of drawing materials and supports. Lectures and exercises introduce various concepts of drawing, possibly including illusionistic form and space, gesture and expressive mark-making, or collage and found imagery, depending on the instructor?s emphasis. Designed to accommodate many skill levels, students can explore various creative strategies through technical drawing exercises, material explorations, and individual projects. Structured classroom critiques will bring drawing concepts into personal student work.

Class Number

1958

Credits

3

Description

This course investigates painting materials, application, color, form, and ideas through contemporary and traditional methodologies. Designed to accommodate many skill levels, students can explore various creative strategies through a skill-based curriculum as well as individual projects. This course serves as a requirement and preparation for topic-based Painting Studio Multi-Level B classes.

Class Number

2141

Credits

3