Staff Reports | Happenings & Events
Faust Gallery present Raíces en Color, a new exhibition by Tucson‑based artist Alejandra Montaño, at the gallery in Old Town Scottsdale.
The exhibition explores themes of identity, memory and heritage through paintings influenced by family history, Mexican cultural traditions and the landscapes of the American Southwest, according to a press release.
“I paint what I come from—my culture, my family, and the memories that stay with me,” Ms. Montaño said. “It has always been part of my life. It’s how I make sense of things, and how I keep my family’s legacy alive.”
Raíces en Color, which translates to “Roots in Color,” reflects Ms. Montaño’s use of bold color and expressive brushwork to depict scenes drawn from everyday life. Her works incorporate symbols and figures that reference family, place and cultural memory.
A self‑taught artist, Ms. Montaño developed her practice through experience and instinct, allowing intuition to guide her creative process. Color plays a central role in her work, serving as a primary vehicle for narrative and emotion.
“Color is my voice—the bolder it is, the more alive the painting becomes,” Ms. Montaño said. “My work is bold because that’s how I see the world—full of color, full of life.”
Raised in Tucson’s historic Barrio Viejo, Ms. Montaño grew up in a community shaped by artistic expression and brightly painted homes. That environment continues to influence her work, which often highlights moments of daily life filtered through memory and cultural pride.
“These paintings come from instinct and from love—love for my culture, my community, and the life I grew up in,” Ms. Montaño said. “For me, painting isn’t just art—it’s a way to honor where I come from and keep that spirit alive.”
The exhibition invites viewers to consider how color and form can convey heritage and personal history, presenting painting as both creative expression and an act of remembrance.
