May. 9 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
About the Latest El Mero Muro
The Mexic-Arte Museum’s El Mero Muro is a mural program located on the exterior wall of the building on 5th St. and Congress Avenue. Conveying powerful messages of relevant issues, the outdoor murals of the Museum are in a unique and highly visible area of downtown Austin. The Museum’s most recent collaboration has been with Puerto Rican artist Fabian Rey, who created Dale Shine, inspired by the imagery of “Chente” Rodriguez’s Dale Shine design, created during the late 70’s. The phrase “Dale Shine” itself roughly translates to “give it shine” or “shine it up,” which resonates both literally (shoeshining) and metaphorically (uplifting or empowering). By channeling imagery from that era, Rey pays tribute to working-class dignity and Latinx heritage, while also addressing larger social themes such as labor, identity and pride.
About the Muralist
Fabian Rey was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is an artist and muralist based in Austin, Texas. His work has been featured in murals in Austin and across the world, including most recently at Angers, France for the 2024 Summer Olympics. As an educator, Fabian has work for middle schools all across the world developing art programs and encouraging the art of creative thinking. Recently, he worked with Austin Achieve Public School in Pflugerville creating and painting a mural with the help of the 8th grade students art class. He has painted across the globe in countries like Puerto Rico, France, Italy and United States. In 2018, he teamed up with the crew of Something Cool Studios, an art collective in the heart of Austin’s East Side, where he makes art and creates workshops and community driven art shows during the year.
“I have been actively involved in creating murals for the past 15 years, and I have had the opportunity to work on various projects across the United States and Europe. My work primarily focuses on capturing the essence of a community, telling its stories and celebrating its unique cultural heritage. I believe that murals have the power to transform public spaces, engage communities and create a sense of pride and ownership. I understand the importance of collaboration and communication in creating successful murals. I enjoy working closely with community members, understanding their visions and incorporating their input into my artwork. This approach ensures that each mural is a true reflection of the community it represents.”