Exhibit “Rostros y Trajes del Altiplano Guatemalteco” By Willima Kalwick Jr.
“I have been painting in Guatemala for almost thirty years. Depicting the indigenous people and customs from different linguistic groups and areas. Over my time in Guatemala, I have produced hundreds of paintings. I also have had several exhibitions in Guatemala, including two sponsored by the U.S. embassy at the Museo Ixchel in Guatemala City.
I studied at the Art Students League in New York City. Following my time in N.Y. I spent time in Europe, studying and traveling. Returning to Houston to apprentice with well-know portrait painter Lajos Markos for six years.
Guatemala has been a major inspiration for my art. I have spent a lot of time there traveling and painting. Meeting people and hearing their stories. I have been fascinated by the culture and have seen many customs disappear. Every village in the western highlands had at one time a distinctive dress that has been slowing disregarded for modern clothing. I feel privileged that I was able to capture on canvas this culture before it has become part of the homogeneous dress and culture of the modern world.
A large part of my art in depicting the indigenous people of Guatemalan. I create oil paintings. My style reflects my art education. I was taught in a traditional representational style. I wanted my artwork to show and document the time in which I lived of the indigenous people of Guatemala. In years from now, these paintings that I have created will show something that has disappeared forever. I have spent my entire life painting, it has been my passion.
I am never lonely creating my artwork, but I do enjoy painting with other artists. I go to a painting session every week where we paint from live models. I also go out and paint with a group of outdoor painters to paint landscapes.”
William Kalwick Jr.
March 2019
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