By Nicole B. Brewer for Hamptons.com
Photo supplied by Cheech Marin
Known the world over as half of the iconic comedy team Cheech & Chong, Cheech Marin is a renaissance man who has transcended his career as an actor to become a children's book author, comedian, director, and renowned Chicano art collector. A week before his first scheduled visit to the Hamptons for ArtHamptons (July 13-15, 2012) I caught up with Cheech who was relaxing and enjoying a day off with his family in Los Angeles but eagerly looking forward to the visit, with a laugh he said, "I can't wait to get there!" Chicano art is close to his heart and at ArtHamptons Cheech will be, "Curating a gallery there and showing some Chicano art. The work is really great! I want to introduce Chicano art to the East Coast Hamptons crowd."
Unlike many other celebrities I've interviewed he answered his own cell phone on the first ring with a friendly voice and his famous sense of humor. He was the Cheech I had hoped to speak to, the easy going guy I knew from movies, his comedy performances, and television. We spoke about his career, dear friend Tommy Chong's battle with cancer, upcoming Birthday Bash sponsored by Hamptons.com, and his amazing art collection that began nearly 30 years ago. Cheech even took time for questions posed by the Hamptons.com Facebook Fans.
NBB: How do you define Chicano art?
CM: Ha! It comes with a side of beans and salsa. A Chicano artist takes the experience of being a Chicano, whether it's historical or sociological or class or gender, and puts his or her point of view together. To put on canvas the experience of being Chicano in this country.
NBB: You've been called one of the most important collectors of Chicano art, when did that begin?
CM: I've always educated myself about art and didn't start collecting until I got some money in the early 1970s. I got started and collected art deco stuff and when I finished with that I discovered all these Chicano painters in the mid-80s, like 1985.
NBB: Any favorite Chicano artists?
CM: I don't have a favorite, I can't. It's like trying to decide between your children. There are a lot of Chicano artists and for the last 12 years I've been doing shows and spreading the word and getting it out there. I'm excited about bringing new artists out there to the Hamptons like Carlos Donjuan. Isn't that a great name? And Werc, that's his tagging name and he's really good. Margaret Garcia is another artist. It's a really good display and it's got a lot of really beautiful big works.
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