The Folk Tree

Rocky Behr’s new private exhibition space in Pasadena, the MARENGO COLLECTION, located at
494 S. Marengo Avenue, specializes in the work of prominent Mexican and other Latino artists.
Behr is also the owner of The Folk Tree, a favorite Pasadena destination for folk art lovers since
its establishment in 1986.

The Marengo Collection provides Behr with another venue for showcasing Latino art. She is
enthusiastic about the gallery’s future and has exciting plans already in place for 2008.

This year, to commemorate the Mexican holiday the Day of the Dead (celebrated on November 1 and 2), the Marengo Collection presents papel picado work by self-taught artist Margarita Fick from Queratero, Mexico. Papel picado means “perforated paper.” It is a traditional folk art that involves cutting out intricate patterns on colorful tissue paper. It is used in Mexico to decorate altars, tables, ceilings and plazas during festivals.

Fick’s complex designs include traditional imagery, memories from her childhood and from her dreams, as well as elements of pre-Hispanic culture. Her unique approach to papel picado has elevated it to the level of fine art.

Click on the image to see a more detailed view.

Also continuing on view at The Marengo Collection are selected prints by contemporary Mexican masters. The artists represented are: Javier Arevalo, Alejandro Colunga, Jose Luis Cuevas, Maximino Javier,
Leonel Maciel, Mario Martin del Campo, and Ismael Vargas. Their images were printed at Gauchabato Editions, the printmaking taller of Sergio and Raquel Ruiz.

Click on the images to see a more detailed view.

Behr’s goals for The Marengo Collection are to bring emerging and established artists from Mexico to the attention of the American public and to further the appreciation of Latino art in general. The gallery is open by appointment. Please call (626)793-4828 or (626)795-8733 for more information.