The Presidential Series: Paintings by Alfred J. Quiroz

The UAMA is proud to host the exhibition, The Presidential Series, a series of paintings of United States presidents created by longtime UA professor and alum, Alfred Quiroz.

While the bright colors, caricaturesque qualities, and sensational subject matter seem humorous on the surface, the paintings beg close examination in order for viewers to extract their full meanings. Meticulously researched, Quiroz layers the paintings with historical references and complex symbolism that comment on the many controversies surrounding the presidents. In these works, the traditional grand scale of history painting is married with an undercurrent of comic, satire, and street art. Quiroz’s work is technically rooted in artistic tradition—underpainting and layered glazes commonly used in the Renaissance are applied here to give added depth and dimension.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website