Mario Perez's Paintings of Everyday Objects in 'Raíces en Remix' Exhibition at La Tijera Gallery

Three oil paintings by Mario Perez stand out in the exhibition 'Raíces en Remix' at La Tijera Gallery in Brownsville. The show features artists with connections to the border region and runs through April 21, 2026. Perez's works, all created in 2023, depict ordinary items with meticulous detail. 'DIY (Rakes)' presents five rakes on a gray ground, while 'DIY (Brooms)' shows six brooms against a pinkish-gray background that suggests motion. 'HIS (Shoes)' portrays eight brown and black shoes arranged like a squadron. Each canvas measures between 25 x 27 inches and 25 x 36 inches. The paintings hang against a worn brick wall in the gallery, a former fabric shop, creating a dialogue between the artworks and their setting. Gallery director Mariana Smith guided visitors through the space. Perez's approach renders commonplace objects uncanny through careful attention to their individual characteristics. The artist's method combines factual representation with poetic suggestion, inviting viewers to consider the social histories embedded in everyday belongings. His style has been compared to the early work of Vija Celmins for its muted, mundane quality. The exhibition showcases a diverse range of conceptual and material approaches from artists tied to the Brownsville area.