Alex Bargas is a Bay Area native, born and raised in East San Jose, and is currently living in San Francisco, CA.  Alex received his BA from San Francisco State University and is currently pursuing his MFA in painting at California College of the Arts. Although his practice has a focus in painting he also works in sculpture and graphic design. Alex is interested in the process of creating and re-contextualizing culture by virtue of language, dress, and memory. The content of his work is strongly connected to the many stages of his life. The underlying basis of the work can be viewed as a behind-the-scenes look into his cultural background.

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I am interested in the process of creating and re-contextualizing culture by virtue of language, dress, and memory. The content of my work is strongly connected to the many stages of my life. I create visual imagery as a response to these stages, describing specific events of my childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Translating these events through painting allows me to delve into my memories, which in turn brings out others, creating a conversation between the past and the present. I am interested in documenting the mundane as well as the powerful social moments as a way to praise everyday people who are often overlooked, yet whose existence is the embodiment and legacy of historical struggle. Working figuratively with portraiture as processes. The underlying basis of the work can be viewed as a behind-the-scenes look into my cultural background. I try to speak to what I know and what I am interested in.