Philadelphia artist Cesar Viveros has been creating art in the United States and Mexico for over 25 years. Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Cesar’s work is inspired by the various communities he has worked with. He believes that the history of America is made up of small-town stories that can be proudly told when individuals are given the opportunity to express them. Cesar interprets and translates these stories into a visual format to expose them to a broader audience.

Cesar’s cultural heritage is also a significant influence on his work. Syncretism (the practice of combining different religions, cultures, or ideas) is integral to his practice. Food justice workshops, sweat lodge rituals, Aztec dances and ceremonies, as well as miniature altars for Day of the Dead celebrations, are frequently featured in his work. Through community outreach, he connects various constituents--Mexican immigrants seeking to reaffirm their cultural heritage, Hispanic people curious about South American celebrations that may differ from those in their own native countries, or the general public interested in traditions from pre-Columbian and "mestizaje" periods. Their stories are blended and reinterpreted through the eyes of an indigenous artist.

www.cesarmural.com