Edward Gonzales is a painter from New Mexico, raised in Albuquerque. His art depicts the Latino and Southwest cultures. His career as an artist began early: at the age of four Edward’s grandmother Remedios gave him colored pencils and paper to keep him occupied while his parents were at work. From then on the little boy grew up with a passion for drawing and painting. By providing him with the simple tools to create art Remedios opened his eyes to the world of art. My family on my mother’s side arrived in the United States from Mexico about 1916 and settled in southern New Mexico. My father’s family came to Nuevo México in 1598 with the explorer Juan de Oñate. My observations of their cultural differences and similarities began when I was very young and became part of my understanding of who I am as a person and as an artist. I began creating art based on my cultural experiences as a way to express the universality of the human spirit. Gonzales’ formal art education began in junior high school and continued at the University of New Mexico. After four years of college he was drafted in the Army and sent to Vietnam. Being a soldier was a life changing experience. Gonzales returned home with a stronger commitment to his art, deciding that his paintings would celebrate life and express the beauty and vitality of Latino culture and the Southwest’s iconic landscapes. He received a BFA in Studio Art in 1971. Finding few venues for Latino artists early in his career, Gonzales founded the annual Contemporary Hispanic Market in Santa Fe in 1989 and the Hispanic Arts Building at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque. In addition to a larger body of art the artist promoted education for children through his special series of paintings on family literacy and education. They have been reproduced as bilingual posters, which are marketed nationwide. A number of these paintings are in the permanent collection of the National Hispanic Culture Center’s Art Museum (NHCC). In 2004 the Albuquerque Public School Board named a new school Edward Gonzales Elementary in recognition of his contribution to art, education and Hispanic culture. Gonzales is an art historian and co-author of an award winning biography, “Spirit Ascendant, The Art and Life of Patrocinio Barela” and illustrator of the classic children’s book “The Farolitos of Christmas.”
EDWARD GONZALES: Master Painter of the Southwest and Latino Culture
“Painting is my lifetime pursuit, a path of exploration and personal growth I have followed as a professional fine artist for over thirty-five years.”
Edward Gonzales is a celebrated New Mexico fine artist, raised in Albuquerque, whose vibrant artwork serves as a visual love letter to Latino heritage and the breathtaking beauty of the American Southwest. Widely recognized for his contemporary Hispanic paintings and Southwest iconic landscapes, Gonzales creates art that expresses the universality of the human spirit through the lens of his own rich cultural experiences.
Deep Roots and Early Inspiration
Gonzales’ connection to the Southwest is centuries deep. His father’s family arrived in Nuevo México in 1598 alongside explorer Juan de Oñate, while his mother’s family immigrated from Mexico to southern New Mexico around 1916. Observing these cultural similarities and differences from a young age profoundly shaped his identity as an artist.
His artistic journey began at just four years old when his grandmother, Remedios, gave him colored pencils and paper to keep him occupied while his parents worked. That simple gift ignited a lifelong passion, opening his eyes to the world of art and planting the seeds for what would become a highly successful career in original Southwest artwork.
A Life-Changing Commitment to Art
Gonzales pursued his formal art education starting in junior high and continuing at the University of New Mexico. However, his studies were interrupted when he was drafted into the Army and sent to Vietnam. This profound, life-changing experience as a soldier gave him a renewed perspective. He returned home with an unwavering commitment to his craft, deciding his oil and acrylic paintings would fiercely celebrate life, focusing on the vitality of Latino culture and the majestic, sun-drenched New Mexico landscapes. He completed his BFA in Studio Art in 1971.
Championing Hispanic Art and Education
Finding few venues dedicated to Latino artists early in his career, Gonzales became a trailblazer for his community. In 1989, he founded the highly anticipated annual Contemporary Hispanic Market in Santa Fe, as well as the Hispanic Arts Building at Expo New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Beyond his traditional canvas work, Gonzales is a passionate advocate for youth education. He created a special series of paintings centered on family literacy, which have been widely reproduced as bilingual educational posters marketed nationwide. His profound impact on education and Hispanic culture was immortalized in 2004 when the Albuquerque Public School Board named a new school “Edward Gonzales Elementary” in his honor.
A Highly Collectible Legacy
Today, Edward Gonzales is a pillar of the Santa Fe art gallery scene. A number of his quintessential paintings reside in the permanent collection of the National Hispanic Culture Center’s Art Museum (NHCC). He is also an accomplished art historian, co-authoring the award-winning biography Spirit Ascendant: The Art and Life of Patrocinio Barela, and illustrating the classic children’s book The Farolitos of Christmas.
Whether capturing a spirited “Midday Gallop,” a serene “Navajo Landscape,” or the tender moments of traditional family life, Edward Gonzales’ artwork offers collectors an authentic piece of Southwestern soul.
