Duardo, center, poses with fans of his work at the members-only opening of Estampas de la Raza: Contemporary Prints from the Romo Collection, an exhibition, organized by the McNay in 2012, where his work was featured.

Curator’s Corner is a place for McNay curators to discuss their thoughts about events happening in the art world–their world–both here in San Antonio and elsewhere. Here, Lyle Williams, Curator, Prints and Drawings, reflects on the life and legacy of artist and friend, Richard Duardo, who passed away November 11 at the age of 62.

The contemporary art world and the McNay has lost a dear friend with the sudden death of master printmaker Richard Duardo. Often called “The West Coast Warhol,” a nickname that he was sometimes ambivalent about, Duardo was a mover and shaker in the Latino art community in Southern California for decades. He was also the founder of Modern Multiples, one of the most influential and prolific print shops in the country. Duardo loved San Antonio and the McNay and made trips to visit as often as he could. During his time in San Antonio, his enthusiasm and indomitable spirit inspired everyone fortunate enough to meet him. Duardo will be missed by those of us who worked, studied, or just got to hang out with him. I had lunch with Duardo a couple of weeks ago and we discussed plans for an exhibition of his large-scale screenprints at the McNay in the summer of 2015. That show will now serve as a memorial to a great artist and friend.

Richard Duardo: Maestro of Pop opens June 3 in the Butt Paperworks Gallery. To read more about his life and contributions to Chicano and contemporary art, click here.

Image Credit: Richard Duardo, Blonde Warhol, 2012. Screenprint with pastel. Collection of the McNay Art Museum, Gift of Harriett and Ricardo Romo.