Tony Mendoza
Cuban-American artist based in Miami, Florida, renowned for blending his cultural heritage onto the canvas. Using a vibrant palette, he works primarily with acrylics to create distinct pieces. His signature style is defined by a whimsical, pop-expressionist approach.
“Idioms like cafe con leche and malas lenguas dotted his everyday life. Now, as an adult, he paints them.”
“I’m putting on canvas what it’s like growing up in a hyphenated culture among Latinos,” Mendoza says. “In my art, you will see different elements, products we see, jokes we tell, sayings that we tell.”
Nila Do Simo – Flamingo Magazine
What does it mean to be Cuban-American? Tony has paintings for that. A stove-top Cuban coffee maker painted next to a Mr. Coffee. A can of Coke next to a Materva. South Florida culture juxtaposed.
Carlos Frias, Elisa Baena & Alexa Herrera/Sundial-WLRN NPR News
https://www.wlrn.org/podcast/sundial/2023-07-25/artist-tony-mendozas-work-lives-between-cultures
The respective designs were created by New York born artist, Tony Mendoza, the son of Cuban parents. “We are delighted to combine the incredible talent of Yotuel and Tony with the lifestyle we offer through our clothing”, said Oscar Feldenkreis, president of the Miami-based company Perry Ellis (translated).
Erwin Pérez Especial/el Nuevo Herald
https://www.elnuevoherald.com/entretenimiento/musica/article267312067.html
With a cavalcade of colors, a smattering of Café Bustelo, a riotous mixture of cigar smoke, palm trees and the rounded edges of the female form, Tony Mendoza’s raucous street art defines the Cuban American Experience and Samba beat of Calle Ocho more succinctly than any photograph or sociological treatise.
Ryan Jarrell – Brickell Magazine
https://brickellmag.com/dealers-dozen/
Working in the pop art style, the visual artist of Cuban origin jumps to fame reflecting with humor and color the spirit of the immigrant in Miami. Addressing themes that permeate the everyday life of any Cuban in South Florida, Tony Mendoza portrays the indelible mark of a mixture of cultures that defines and influences Miami’s intimate and public life.
Camila Mendoza – El Diario de Las Americas
https://www.diariolasamericas.com/cultura/tony-mendoza-pinta-la-experiencia-cubanoamericana-n4109995
Artist Tony Mendoza was born in New York to Cuban parents but raised in the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami. This guy’s work is so vibrant and colorful! He intimately captures the daily life of Little Havana with style and best of all, a great sense of humor.
I Cuban.com Magazine – Three Guys from Miami
https://3guysfrommiami.com/mural_master.html
Cuban-American artist Tony Mendoza reflects in his visual work the icons of the cultures he grew up with. Mendoza literally captures with vibrant colors and clean lines, the sayings and slang from Cuban folklore on canvas, and his creations can be quite humorous.
ACHIEVEMENTS
“White Hat Lady” Permanent Installation | Sunny Spaces| Sunny Isles, Miami Beach, FL 2024
Hispanic Heritage | Perry Ellis sponsored collaboration between Tony Mendoza and Cuban musician Yotuel, in the creation of images for clothing line. | Perry Ellis | Miami, FL 2022
“Expressions of a Pandemic” Group Exhibit | Coral Gables Museum | Coral Gables, FL 2020
“Resonate” Group Exhibit | Coral Gables Museum | Coral Gables, FL 2019
Solo Exhibit | Village Design Gallery| Lauderdale, FL 2017
Solo Exhibit | ArtServe| Lauderdale, FL 2017
Solo Exhibit |Rubin Studio Gallery | Miami, FL 2015
“Mano Hispana” Group Exhibit |Milander Art Center | Hialeah, FL 2014
“Fiesta at Calle Ocho” Official Poster |Carnival Miami | Miami, FL 2013
Solo Exhibit |Federacion Mercantil Hispana | Union City, NJ 2013
Solo Exhibit |Rodez Art Gallery | Coconut Grove, FL 2012
Guayabera: Story of a Shirt Exhibit | Miami History Museum| Miami, FL 2012
“Jazz Singer” Official Poster | Sunny Isles Beach Jazz Fest | Sunny Isles, FL 2012
Group Exhibit |Buell Children’s Museum | Pueblo, CO 2011
Solo Exhibit |Aperture Studios | Miami, FL 2011
Solo Exhibit|South Florida Museum | Bradenton, FL 2010
“South Beach People” Official Poster | AIA Convention | Miami Beach, FL 2010
Solo Exhibit | Bloomingdales| Aventura, FL 2009
Solo Exhibit |Hialeah City Hall | Hialeah, FL 2009
Group Exhibit and Lecture |Lowe Art Museum | Coral Gables, FL 2008
Winner | 2007 Arte America Hispana Competition | Miami, FL 2007
Featured Artist | Ybor City State Museum| Tampa, Fl 2006
Solo Exhibit | IACC | Worcester, MA 2005
Solo Exhibit|Moore Multicultural Center | Cocoa FL 2004
“Flower & Garden” Group Exhibit | EPCOT @ Walt Disney World | Orlando, FL 2004