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As a visual artist I?m interested in how art impacts and influence's people. most important for an artist is to understand why he is creating his work and what he is saying. I challenge myself to always venture deeper into my conscious and subconscious mind, pushing further away from the norms that society has imposed on me. An artist should follow his natural instincts into mystery and uncertainty and have a assertive quality to his work, aesthetic values should be defined in ones own style while maintaining balance.

S. Cacao

Spartacous Cacao was born in San Francisco, California in 1978 to Salvadoran emigrants. When he was eight years old his family moved to the Mojave Desert, growing up in the high desert he was impacted by the wide open spaces and the brilliant colors. Today he lives and works in Los Angeles. Having studied advanced printmaking, painting, ceramics, life drawing and sculpture, he has developed a refreshingly unique body of work and styles. Since he moved to Los Angeles in 1999, Cacao began to focus his work onto community, driving around the city, often taking photos from his car in a documentary process that continues today. observing the human interaction within the metropolis we call Los Angeles, including the struggles and tension faced on a day to day basis by the survivors of racial antagonism, and neocolonialism. The cultural verity of people navigating a maze of streets and buildings while living and working together, have created a new material and non material culture, this richness of diversity is what inspires Cacao?s work along with his cultural roots.

SPARTACOUS CACAO

Email: spartacous@gmail.com
WEBSITE www.cacao.downtownartistproject.org/
WEBSITE http://723.com/Cacao/
Born: 1978 Place: San Francisco, CA

SOLO SHOWS

02/08 ? 03/08
The Substance of Dreams and Nightmares (automatism and the subconscious)
Los Angeles Community Action Network @ Art Walk, Feb 2008

10/07-11/07
A Series of Paintings about Racial Antagonism and Displacement.
Los Angeles Community Action Network @ the Los Angeles Art Walk, Oct 2007

06/07-12/07
(Online Gallery)
Social and Public Arts Resource Center (May 1st 2006 McArthur park series)
http://www.sparcmurals.org/ Curator: Judy Baca


GROUP SHOWS

10/07-11/07
Los Angeles City Hall, Bridge Gallery
The Salvadoran Experience a Journey through Art,

03/07
Park Plaza, Macarthur Park, Los Angeles
EL MURO/THE WALL
(GAS) Group of Salvadoran Artist, 13 participating artist each art work is 4'x 8'. Work addresses the barriers that divide humanity, including immigration issues.

10/05 -11/05
Los Angeles City Hall, Bridge Gallery
A Journey through Art, The Salvadorian Experience, nostalgic works addressing the diaspora (GAS)

06/05
Los Angeles Workers Center (Always Camilo) group show in homage to artist Camilo Minero, Group of Salvadorian Artist (GAS)





12/04 - 01/05
33 1/3 Gallery Collective
Don?t support ?the fascists who stole Christmas!? (Linoleum Cuts of Burning Hummer)

11/01-12/01
Glendale College Art Gallery
Eye Speak, Curator: Joseph Beckeles


SELECTED COMMISSIONS

10/07
Mural work together with artist Rafael Escamilla commissioned by the City of Los Angeles, through local neighborhood council ?Friends of Atwater Village? trompe l'oeil of historic site.

09/07-12/07
Several book illustrations; The Underbelly, By: Gary Phillips
a mystery novel about homeless issues on skid row. www.fourstory.org/

03/07
Painting of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Monse?or Oscar Romero for the South East Neighborhood Development Council, Unity Fair, bringing black and brown youth together in harmony and peace.
Location: District 14, Los Angeles 8475 South Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, California 90044, Contact (323).753.0231

09/06
Landscape Mural in El Salvador.

08/06
Mural/Paintings at Guatemalteca Bakery/Restaurant 4032 W. Beverly Blvd,
Los Angeles,

01/06 - 06/06
Expressions of our Reality, developed a art project which tells the experiences of minority children who are at risk of gangs and drugs, capturing their stories and daily struggle with violence and inner city life, exhibited at Macarthur Park.
Contact: Beth Peterson www.lacommons.org

12/05
Designed Logo?s for Just Garments (Sweatshop free garments)





03/00
Several painting of historical sites in Mexico commissioned for private residence.


SELECTED PUBLIC/PRIVATE COLLECTION

Artist: John Sonsini / "Paletero #1"
acrylic on paper

Los Angeles City College.
Presidents purchase of Abstract Painting
Presidents Office (323) 953-4000

Federal Citi Mortgage Banc Inc. (LA Branch)
three etchings, landscapes.
Steve Castellar/ Chief Executive

Federal Citi Mortgage Banc Inc. (Irvine Branch)
large Seascapes / Manager (714) 865-0741


EDUCATION
Los Angeles City College

AWARDS
11/07
Certificate of Recognition
City of Los Angeles for A Journey through Art


06/06
Certificate of Appreciation
City of Los Angeles for "expressions of our reality" work with at risk inner city youth, through LA Commons.



REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Social/Environmental Issues, History, Photography.