User:Kcastil2/Malaquías Montoya

== In 2012, Montoya, now 85 years old and residing with his wife Lezlie Salkowitz-Montoya in Solano County, Northern California, created a sizable mural at the UC Davis Student Community Center. Montoya holds the view that the artist's role in the community remains unchanged despite technological advancements and the prevalence of social media. He asserts, "I perceive their role to be constant; the artist's task is to articulate the issues presented to us in a convoluted manner, enabling people to comprehend the role they need to fulfill. I believe the cultural worker's responsibility is to interpret information from those in power and present it back to the community in a clearer form." ==

== Montoya who has been teaching in the Department of Art as a Full Professor in the Chicana/o Studies Program, and professor emeritus, at the University of California, Davis, has several of his pieces being showcased in various museums. Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art is currently exhibiting Malaquias Montoya, Yo Soy Chicano, 2013. Screenprint on paper,  26 1/8 x 20 in. Courtesy of Malaquias Montoya and Lezlie Salkowitz-Montoya. © Malaquias Montoya. Photo: Muzi Rowe. The piece was curated by Claudia Zapata, guest curator and it will be On view from October 1, 2023, to May 6, 2024. Yo Soy Chicano is part of a homage to Malaquías Montoya and the legacy he has shaped. The current exhibitions primarily feature prints and posters, but a significant aspect of his influence stems from murals produced in collaboration with the UC Davis mural class. When questioned about having gallery representation, Montoya replied, "My gallery extends from Lake Merritt to 87th Street (in Oakland). You can encounter my creations on utility poles and building facades. The intention was for people to encounter my work as they drive through the neighborhood or stroll to the grocery store." ==

== The Oakland Museum of California also honors Malaquías Montoya by exhibiting, Por el Pueblo: The Legacy and Influence of Malaquías Montoya, which will be on view from October 6, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Por el Pueblo acknowledges Malaquías Montoya's role as a founding figure and leader within the Chicano Arts Movement, examining how his impact persists through present-day activist artists. Montoya gained prominence for his silkscreen print posters that address social justice issues. During the 1960s and 70s, a period when printmaking became a favored medium for activist artists, it facilitated more accessible, affordable, and efficient poster production. Similar to Montoya in his early years, contemporary artists still face marginalization from the mainstream due to their identities and their commitment to speaking truth to power. Beyond highlighting Montoya's work and ongoing influence, Por el Pueblo underscores the efforts of current artists who are amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, with a particular focus on queer individuals and Chicanas. ==