Identidad Desconocida
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Fabian Chairez, Identidad Desconocida
2017 | Oil on canvas
NFS
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This was the first unique (a.k.a. original) piece of art that I ever acquired. I started off collecting photographs and prints but as my collection grew and wall space dwindled, I quickly learned to be more discerning with my purchases.
I originally saw this piece while on vacation in Puerto Vallarta, MX back in June 2021. When traveling, one of my favorite activities is exploring the community’s local galleries and museums. To be honest, I don’t remember much of the art I saw on that trip —nothing really struck me as remarkable— except this piece.
I walked into Galeria Omar Alonso and my eyes were immediately drawn to the work: its size, subject matter, and vibrant colors made it impossible to miss. At the time, it was framed in a lower-quality, no-glare acrylic that blurred much of the painting’s details— so much so that I originally thought it was a print.
Upon inquiring about the piece, the gallery’s General Manager told me that it was part of the owner’s personal collection and wasn’t sure if he was willing to sell it. I didn’t push the subject and just left it at that. However, she provided me with a brief introduction to Fabian Cháirez by showing me a CNN clip discussing his controversial work, La Revolución (2014), which sparked outrage, protests, and even death threats.
Four months later, in October 2021, I was doing further research on Fabian and became captivated by everything he was putting out into the world. Through his use of vibrant colors and choice poses, many of his works have a tongue-in-cheek quality. He consistently challenges conventional ideas of male masculinity/machismo, cleverly reinterpreting them in provocative, vulnerable, and erotic ways. His exploration of themes such as gender, manhood, and the definition of “being a man” —particularly within the context of Mexican culture— is prominent throughout his work.
Long story long, I now proudly own this piece and two other works from Mr. Cháirez, each of which feels like a beautifully striking form of protest, compelling us to confront our preconceptions of masculinity and femininity, thus fostering a more open-minded culture.
