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Manuel Lepe - [1936-1984] |
| Manuel Lepe Gallery -
July 2002. |
Manuel Lepe - [1936-1984]
Initiator of the "Naif" style of painting
in Mexico. He brought international fame to Puerto Vallarta.
Many important and well know personalities Including
Royalty, politicians and aficionados of the art world
admire and collect Lepe's work.
Portrait
"Puerto Vallarta is a Paradise",
Manuel Lepe responded, when asked during an interview
why he always painted angels in the skies… and
why do angels fly in planes? "Because the angels
are tired and it is fun". Manuel Lepe was in love
with Vallarta simple, human, charitable, and moreover
he never lost the exuberant innocence of childhood.
These sentiments are expressed in his ingenuous painting
of Puerto Vallarta. His reputation as a painter extends
beyond Mexico to the United States and Europe. Manuel
was declared "National Painter of Mexico"
by the Mexican President Luis Echeverria. His name is
in the "naïf" Painters Directory of France.
Manuel is also
an honorary citizen of the State of Texas. These are
just a few of the many awards and recognitions that
he received. Of the many exhibits he had, the one he
was most proud of was his exhibition in the Sciences
and Industries Museum of Los Angeles where he still
holds the record for the most visitors, of more than
a million persons. The same year that he died, the UNICEF
bought the rights to his painting "The Christmas
Tree" for their Christmas cards.
His painting of little angels, children
and of Vallarta scenes are found all over the world
in the homes of presidents, and famous art collectors.
Elizabeth II, the Queen of England has one of Lepe's
paintings in the Royal Mews Museum of Windsor Castle.
Also celebrities such as Kurt Waldheim, Elizabeth Taylor,
Willi Brandt, Ronald Reagan, John Houston, Peter O´Toole,
Lola Beltrán, and John Travolta among others,
all feel what John Houston said "Manuel Lepe makes
painting to bring joy to the hearts of children in all
of us". Manuel was born in Puerto Vallarta on April
17, 1936 and was the third son, of a family of eleven
children. He died young at the age of 46 from a cerebral
aneurysm. Manuel left three children, Marcella, "Pinky"
and "Gaby". Lepe painted over 500 paintings.
His family has only about 20 paintings and some of them
are sold exclusively at the Museo Galeria Manuel Lepe
run by his daughter Marcella Lepe.
April 17 is the official day of Manuel
Lepe in Puerto Vallarta to commemorate his birthday.
EXHIBITIONS:
San Francisco, Cal. - 1965
Newsteter Gallery, Denver Colorado - 1969
Two Squares Gallery, Denver Colorado - 1961
Civic Center Auditorium, San Francisco, Cal. -1973
Livingstone Gallery, San Francisco, Cal. - 1973
Galeria Lepe, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico -1973
Centurty Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, Cal. - 1973
Newsteter Gallety, Denver, Colorado -1974
Centro de Arte Moderno, Guadalajara, Mexico -1974
Galeria Lepe, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - 1974
Ex-convento del Carmen, Guadalajara, Mexico -1977
La Tortolita Gallery, Tucson, Arizona - 1977
One of One Gallery, Reno, Nevada - 1978
Galeria Lepe, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - 1978
Cherry Creek Gallery of Fine Arta, Denver, Co.- 1978
Dallas Independent School District, Dallas, Tx. -1979
California Museum of Science & Industry, L.A.-1979
Children's Orthopedic Hospital. Seattle, Wash.-1980
Yolanda Fine Arts, Chicago, Illinois - 1981
Somerstown Studios & Gallery, New York, N.Y. -1982
City Hall (Homage), Puerto Vallarta, Mexico -1984
Galeria Uno (Homage), Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - 1984
Casa de la Cultura Jalisciense, Guad, Mexico - 1984
Fiestas de Octubre, Guadalajara, Mexico. - 1984
Pasillo del Arte Televicentro, Gua. Mexico - 1994
Hotel Westin Regina, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico -1996
Hotel Joya de Mismaloya, Pto. Vallarta, Mex. 1997
City Hall, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico -1998
In Puerto Vallarta visit Manuel Lepe
gallery and museum with original works, ceramics, jewelry
and other souvenirs and acquire an authentic piece of
Vallartan "Naif" art. The museum has information
documents and the last painting by Lepe.
Casa Museo Manuel Lepe
485 Jacarandas Col. Emiliano Zapata
Visits to the Manuel Lepe Museum only by appointment:
Contact: Marcella Lepe Quiroz
Phone: 222-4455 or Cell.: 044 322 294-9539
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