Enrique Serrato: A Life Amongst Art

I've been scrambling for the past hour or two to find something to post and I'm just simply between projects right now.

So I started looking in my folder labeled "in case of sickness," which is just where I keep older art and pictures for moments like this. And I saw this picture of Enrique Serrato with two of my pieces.

Check out the video featured at the top of this post for more background.

But basically Enrique started collecting art when he was a teenager, he's in his 90's now I think, and he lives in a small apartment here in Whittier with this insanely large collection of art.

Again check out the video for more details about him and to witness his little museum.

Enrique was one of the first collectors who I ever met. He was a good one to meet to.

I was showing art at this weird little gallery in the back of a skate shop/head shop/heavy metal and punk clothing shop. I got a call from them and they passed Enrique's number on to me.

I called Enrique and he invited me over. I walked into his collection and it is just overwhelming. Just like that video shows it, there's just no where to stand, it's hard to walk around. wall to wall art.

I don't know if that video mentions it but at one point he was just sleeping on the floor, he didn't even have a bed.

I used to work primarily in pen and ink, which he was a fan of. I'd keep my drawings in this portfolio book, so I brought that ever and he looked through it.

He must have been in his 80s then. But when he saw a piece he liked his face would light up like a little kids and he would get very animated.

I don't think he ended up buying art from me that day. I know I traded him a drawing for this collage piece. I also drove him to the liquor store to get beer and we drank Modelos together.

About a year later I was trying to raise money to go do an art show in Portland. I was calling all the people who had ever bought something from me and trying to raise money for the trip. That's when Enrique bought those two pieces from me. I also gave him a signed copy of this book of pen and ink drawings I made.

I called him a year or two later, just to check in on him kind of. He was not doing well. He had had a stroke and he told me he wasn't collecting anymore. His hearing was also horrible so I couldn't really talk to him.

I think I tried to call him one other time after that and his phone was disconnected or something. I just remember I couldn't get through.

A few months ago I got an email from the American Museum of Ceramic Art in Pomona.

Enrique has been slowly donating his collection to different museums for the past few years and he had given them the book I gave him.

The museum was curious if I did a lot of work in ceramics or if it was just a one off piece. I had no idea what they were talking about.

It was a mix up. He had given them this bowl and he must have confused me with that artist.

I told the museum that it was a mistake and asked them how my friend Enrique was doing.

She said she hadn't seen him in a while and that he's dispersing his collection and trying to find a new caretaker. So he's still alive. Which makes me happy.

She also said that the museum had been looking at my work on my website and were disappointed to learn that the bowl was not mine. But they did keep the book. It's in their library.

So that's how my first work to be in a museum. A copy of my pen and ink drawing books in the library of American Museum of Ceramic Art.

I think about Enrique a lot and always hope he's doing well.

Have Fun

Goodnight Sweeties

Happy April 16th

I did my taxes yesterday. I don't want to talk about it.