Abel Rodriguez

Abel Rodriguez (he/him) is a Queer Xicano artist from Fairfield, California, born to farm-working parents. He earned a dual Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Drawing and Painting, and Graphic Design from California State University, Long Beach in 2007. Later, he pursued a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Painting at Yale School of Art, graduating in 2010.

Rodriguez’s figurative works delve into personal and historical narratives, exploring the intersections of memory, power, and class. His art often reflects the lingering impact of colonization, offering commentary on the human condition. Through his pieces, he captures the collisions of the past with the present, revealing the aftermath and repercussions of historical events on contemporary life. A firm believer in the transformative power of art, Rodriguez’s own life attests to this belief. Growing up as a gang-entrenched youth, art became his pathway to becoming the first in his family to attend college. This transformative journey fuels his commitment to using art as a tool for social change.

In 2011, Rodriguez was selected to participate in the Artist-in-Residence Program at Recology in San Francisco. Building on his vision of art as a catalyst for community and cultural dialogue, he co-founded the Comalito Collective Cultural Arts Center in Vallejo, California, in 2015. Alongside his partner, he established this center to create networks through exhibitions, provide support, and foster opportunities for marginalized voices. The center focuses on artworks that explore intersections of race, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, and gender through a decolonial lens. Rodriguez’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. He continues to live and work in Vallejo, California, where he remains dedicated to creating impactful art and supporting his community.

Instagram: abel_rdgz

ARTIST WEBSITE (LINK)