Efren Ordoñez (1927-2011) Mexico

About the Artist

Efren Ordoñez was born in the city of Chihuahua, but moved to Monterrey at the age of two and retained close links with that city for the rest of his life. After attending Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, he joined the School of Law and Social Sciences at the Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon, but switched to architecture.

In 1952, he set up his first art studio, also holding his first exhibition for the Third National Missionary Congress.Three years later, he mounted another exhibition of paintings in Arte AC design school, Monterrey. He was also commissioned to create prints, sculptures, murals and stained glass for the Archdiocese of Monterrey in 1955, and this earned him recognition as an artist who could translate religious themes through art.

Efren Ordoñez's work was exhibited in Mexico and also the United States, including exhibitions at the Dreyer Gallery in Houston and the Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City

A retrospective of his work was held in 1976 in Monterrey. Ordoñez was awarded the "Presea Estado" (Civic Merit Award) for his art by the government of Nuevo León in 1988. In 2000, his work was included in '100 Years performed by 100 Artists, Visual Arts in Nuevo Leon'.

His portfolio includes more than 60 public, secular and religious artworks. Among the most iconic are his stained glass windows.

Houston's Family Newspaper, by Dianne Copelon. June, 1961

     "An artist must stand sincerely in front of his easel" says Mexican painter Efren Ordóñez. "Whatever school he belongs to will follow".
     Here to open his show at Dreyer Galleries, Ordóñez discusses the problems to his colleagues.
     "The movement in mexican art today is away from the big three (Diego Rivera, Siqueiros and Orozco) and their socialistic ideas."
     "Naturally many artist still follow these men, but since those followers do not really believe in communism, their work is not sincere."
     The tall thin Ordóñez, a native of Chihuahua, says that Tamayo and Rouault have exerted the greates influence on his work, although he has never actually studied with either artist.
     At 34 he is the recipient of several commissions for murals, has designed churches and several homes and has represented in shows throughout Mexico.
     His studio at Monterrey is a "must" on the itinerary of American tourists who claims are his best costumers.  In most cases they have seen his murals in night club in the Rio Hotel.

     Religious paintings and a collection of sad faces that reflect his own expressions make up most of his current Houston show.
     The use of dark and few bright colors in the paintings varies with each contrasting mood of Ordóñez when he faces his own easel.