Changarrito Residency: Mauro

About the Artist

Mauro de la Tierra is a first generation Mexican American from San Antonio; a self-taught painter, sculptor, and illustrator. What began with street art transitioned into canvas and beyond. With support from his community, and his mentor, Albert Gonzales, he has been self-employed as a full time artist since October 2017. Mauro considers himself community-made and is community-driven. His work focuses on socio-economic challenges and generational struggles such as the prison industrial complex, poverty, addiction, and the deterioration of the earth. His work captures a side of life that is often vilified and ignored while also making a statement of love for humanity. With the use of spray paint, acrylic, and oil paints, Mauro creates heavy textures on canvas in a modern and raw style of whimsical, surreal, abstract expressionism.

In the same year that Mauro launched himself into art full time, he began leading and collaborating with The Black Sheep Collective, a group of DIY misfit artist extraordinaires. Together they have put on six pop-up gallery exhibitions and performances. His work thus far has been shown in various zines such as High Noon and galleries which have included Kspace gallery, Clamplight Gallery, Presa House gallery. Mauro has also had three solo shows and is preparing for his fourth to be opened at Blk Wht GRY in March of 2023. He is currently working on his fourth illustration book that will be a bold statement of the realities of addiction and nurturing recovery.

Artist Statement

Mauro de la Tierra uses mediums such as acrylic, spray paint, oil, ink, digital illustration, and paper maché. As a child of immigrants, growing up in poverty, de la Tierra believed that art was only meant for the upper echelons of society. Through his own exploration of art, de la Tierra was able to dismantle that notion within himself and uses his art to bring the same awareness to marginalized communities from similar socio-economic backgrounds. Mauro de la Tierra is a firm believer that art is for all bodies, has the power to unite all, and is a universal love language.

Incorporating indigenous symbolism, de la Tierra uses his art to bring awareness to urgent issues such as the environment and the rapid decline of our cultural climate. While de la Tierra makes statements on big picture issues, he does so through a deeply personal lens by including his own struggles.

As a recovering addict, art is an integral part of de la Tierra’s healing. De la Tierra strives to showcase his own vulnerability in his work to challenge the norms set by a patriarchal society.

Changarrito Cart January 21-22 and 28-29

Artists have the opportunity to sell their art on the Changarrito cart in front of the Museum (or an offsite location, as representative for the Museum during various Austin festivals). Changarreando expands the reach of the artist by presenting their gallery online, while allowing the option to sell merch over Instagram and receive 100% of the sale.

Mauro De la Tierra featured their artwork on the Changarrito cart outside the Museum’s entrance on January 21-22 and January 28-29, 2023.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates on original work available for purchase and behind the scenes of the artist’s work, space, and creative process.