A collection of larger than life portraits by Felix Maldonado called “Graffiti aHead: Portraits of the Midwest Graffiti/Street Artists” are on display at the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center, 220 W. 5th Avenue, Main Art Gallery, 2nd floor. The exhibit has been extended through April 30.
About these larger than life portraits, Maldonado writes, “The detail in the faces of the subjects is made with care but also with a spontaneous and physical manner synonymous to the medium they all use; the spray can.” Maldonado, also known as FLEX, has chosen these people to paint because of his admiration and respect for not only the culture but also its importance of documentation.
Also, Maldonado has started painting a mural for the Gary Public Library that reflects the character, culture and history of Gary, Indiana. The mural is located in the Public Study area of the Gary Public Library and Cultural Center, 2nd floor. The public is invited to stop in and view the mural in progress. The library is open Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday & Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
A native of East Chicago, Indiana, Felix is a self-taught artist with more than 25 years experience in painting, drawing and graffiti art. In 1995, he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Advertising with a minor in Graphic Design from the American Academy of Art in Chicago. He has worked at several ad agencies in Chicago directing and producing commercials for companies like Culligan Water, Peoples Energy, Roto-Rooter, Head Tennis and ATA Airlines.
Maldonado is currently known for his murals of the Jackson 5, in both Gary’s Miller section and on Broadway.
