Gustavo Munroy and Diego Marcial Rios - from the "Corpus" portfolio - image D

This work was published by The Armory Center for the Arts,  which is a non-profit community arts organization that offers arts education programs and contemporary art exhibitions in Pasadena, CA. It originated as the education department of the Pasadena Art Museum, in 1947. After the museum closed in 1974 (and became the Norton Simon Museum), the education program became known as the Pasadena Art Workshops. The workshops in collaboration with the Baxter Art Gallery became the Armory Center for the Arts in 1989.

These amazing woodcuts were done by Gustavo Munroy and Diego Marcial Rios, in 1992. They are approximately 28" x 20". Each is signed, and numbered from an edition of 35/65.

Gustavo Monroy born 1959

Estudió en la Escuela Nacional de Pintura Escultura y Grabado La Esmeralda. Desde mediados de los años 80 su obra ha sobresalido a nivel nacional e internacional. Actualmente forma parte del acervo de importantes museos y colecciones especializadas en México y Estados Unidos, como el Museo de Arte Moderno de la ciudad de México, el Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Aguascalientes, el Museo Nacional de la Estampa, el Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, el Museo Universitario de Ciencias y Artes de la UNAM y el Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Alvar T. de Carrillo Gil, en México; el Museum of Art-University of Arizona y el Latin American Art Museum en Long Beach, California.

Pintor, grabador y dibujante, participa activamente en el desarrollo de la vida cultural de su país. Ha obtenido diversos reconocimientos, entre los que destaca el Premio de Pintura de la IX Bienal Rufino Tamayo. Ha sido miembro del Sistema Nacional de Creadores y ha participado como jurado en diversos concursos nacionales como la XII Bienal Rufino Tamayo y recientemente la IX Bienal Alfredo Zalce 2014.

He studied at the National School of sculpture painting and engraving La Esmeralda. Since the mid-80s his work has excelled nationally and internationally. It is currently part of the collection of important museums and specialized collections in Mexico and the United States, such as the Museum of Modern Art of Mexico City, The Museum of Contemporary Art of Aguascalientes, the National Museum of the print, the National Institute of Fine Arts, the University Museum of Sciences and Arts of the UNAM and the Museum of Contemporary Art Alvar T.; the Museum of Art-University of Arizona and the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, California.

Painter, engraver and draftsman, he is actively involved in the development of the cultural life of his country. He has obtained several awards, among which the painting prize of the IX Rufino Tamayo biennial, stands out. He has been a member of the National System of creators and has participated as a jury in various national competitions such as the XII Rufino Tamayo Biennial and recently the IX Alfredo Zalce biennial 2014.

Diego Marcial Rios bio

Ancient myths and legends intermingle with today's issues to inspire  the intricate art of Diego Marcial Rios. He creates explosions of color and texture in paintings, masks, woodcuts, and book illustrations. Inspired by Latin history including Aztec and Mayan symbols, Rios celebrates life, explores death, and confronts social and economic justice relevant today. His fanciful and provocative style is honored worldwide in museums including San Francisco’s Legion of Honor. Rios works daily on new creations. After three decades, he continues to be a low profile but highly respected treasure in the art world.

Rios' paintings, woodcuts, and masks have been included in more than 500 exhibitions in the USA, Asia, and Europe. His dynamic work is featured in a number of Museum Collections including the Laguna Beach Museum, Laguna Beach, CA.; Museo National De La Estampa, Mexico City, Mexico, and in public collections including the San Francisco Mission Cultural Center, C; Harriet Taubman Gallery, MD; and the Irish Arts Council, Belfast, Ireland.

Rios conducts an ongoing series of very popular workshops including Sacred Heart/ Mask-Making in the Mexican Tradition in Berkeley, CA, and  Mask-Making for Carnival in San Francisco, CA. In addition, Rios is an engaging and motivating speaker, and he welcomes opportunities to share his passion for creative expression with all audiences, from curious youth to imaginative adults. 

“There is something dramatic about black and white. The black/white woodcut media is an excellent media to express complex political and social beliefs. Woodcut or relief images consist of powerful black and white images with limited lines and grays areas. The results are striking!”

For more info call us at (323) 744-7550, or to see a greater selection of the gallery work, please visit our Artnet site at: