On Sep. 21, entertainer and art collector Cheech Marin spoke of painting techniques, his world travels, and his love of Chicano culture to a crowd in an auditorium at the UW College of Education.
Over the years, Marin has amassed a vast collection of Chicano art, a selection of which is now on display at the UW Art Museum.
Perhaps best known for his role in the Cheech & Chong series of stoner comedy movies from the 1970s and ’80s, Marin exhibited a deep knowledge of the styles and techniques of Mexican-American, also known as Chicano, artists whose works he has promoted worldwide.
A contingent of students from the UW chapter of MEChA — a group dedicated to promoting Chicano values on university campuses — sat right up front. The UW chapter has recently been calling for stronger action on campus in support of DACA recipients. After Marin’s speech, a MEChA member called out in Spanish for the entertainer to take a photo with the group. He did so gladly.
“Papel Chicano Dos: Works on Paper from the Cheech Marin Collection,” will be on display at the UW Art Museum until Dec. 16.
Chech Marin’s Chicano Art collection is thought to be the worlds largest private collection. To be so knowledgeable and able to share this with the world makes Cheech Marin a giant in my eyes.