Beyond Frank Lloyd Wright

After moving to Arizona in 2001, I decided to meet the renowned photographer Pedro E. Guerrero. I hopped on my high horse (Harley Davidson), rode to Pedro’s house in the rural community of Florence Arizona, and knocked on his door. Pedro asked why I didn’t call before coming, and I said that I figured that  if I did call, he would not have invited me to his house. Pedro responded that he would indeed have not asked me to visit. Pedro then added that going up to Taliesin was how he first met Frank Lloyd Wright - way back in 1938.

During the afternoon visit Pedro and I realized that we knew many of the same people and had ties to both Arizona and Wisconsin. Add that to a love of photography and art and a good friendship developed.

It was shortly after that that I became friends with Zarco Guerrero - an actor, musician, and multi-talented artist. Zarco is founder of the Arizona-based arts group Xicanindio Artes. In 2004 I curated an exhibition of art from Xicanindio at Promega Corporation, featuring art from Native American and Latino artists.

Sometime later, I made the connection that Zarco is the nephew of Pedro. After that came introductions to many other artistic members of the Guerrero family. The idea of an all Guerrero family exhibition was born.

After several books about Frank Lloyd Wright and Alexander Calder by Pedro, last year a book about Pedro Guerrero was published. This new book is about the incredible life Pedro has had working, photographing and living with famous artists. It is out of this book that the September exhibition came.

Not only did we showcase Pedro “Beyond Frank Lloyd Wright,” but we also showed that Pedro’s creativity comes from a family tradition. This exhibition featured Pedro, Zarco and several other talented members of the Guerrero family.

The viewing public enjoyed the breadth and importance of Pedro’s photos, as well as the diversity of talent in the rest of the family. We feature sculpture, paintings, jewelry, poetry, music and some other surprises.

We had at least 500 people at the opening reception at Promega. Madison really came out to honor this great man and help celebrate his 91^st birthday. I also know that the 15 or so Guerrero family members in attendance were proud to come together and showcase their talented and important American family.

All photos copyright © Daniel Swadener. All rights reserved.