Collection: Mario Cespedes Artist Biography and Art Gallery Collection

Mario Cespedes, is a Brazilian artist born in Bolivia in 1940. With soft pastel colors and an eye of intriguing composition, he creates memorable works of art. Mario Cespedes was encouraged from an early age to develop his talent for drawing, becoming one of Bolivia`s most beloved and internationally acclaimed Artists of the 20th Century. His large-scale masterpieces are composed with a bold and passionate hand, yet each of Mario Cespedes` works are imbued with an intriguingly soft light and pastel-inspired tones that simultaneously comfort and excite the viewer. Several articles have been written about his artwork by art magazines and newspapers such as Southwest Art, Southwest profile Journal do Brazil, the Arizona Daily, Los Angeles Times and others. Murals of Mario Cespedes are displayed on the walls of the Graham Library  and the outdoor mural at Chandler Blvd. commissioned by The County of Los Angeles and The Valley S. Regional Arts Council, Los Angeles.

Mario Cespedes left his native country of Bolivia at a young age to live in Brazil. His first real exposure to art came to the artist when he studied under Wandrlei Martelli, a well known Brazilian artist. A public park named "Parca da Republica" located downtown Sao Paulo was a vitrine to display Mario's artwork every Sunday along with other artists. He became a successful and recognized artist locally and internationally and received many significant awards. His project ""Art for the Blind"" was chosen to represent Brazil at the Xlll International Biennial of Sao Paulo in 1975. His installation involved young blind persons that interacted with tactile materials in order to stimulate ""visual"" response to the memory. Mario Cespedes again was chosen to represent the country of Brazil in the XlV International Biennial of Sao Paulo in 1977 when submitting his project ""Radiografia Hidrorreica de um rio brasileiro"" (Hydrorreic X-ray of a Brazilian river) related to the pollution of the river ""Tiete"" who crosses the city of Sao Paulo. The artist's present work clearly identifies with one of the most important issues of our time: the destruction of the rain forest. His paintings depict the dramatic changes that affect the eco system and its people; for example, how the life of a young native will change when technology clears its way to construct a new highway through the rain forest, thus destroying its natural habitat. These controversial topics make Mario Cespedes' work unique; however, the artist is also able to capture the beauty of the rain forest, when mythology and fairy tales from native narratives convey to his canvas to show the viewer dreamlike depictions. No matter what topic or theme the artist portrays, it is the usage of color in combination with the applied technique that make the artwork of Mario Cespedes complete and outstanding."