Luis Apolinario Bermudez (1953–2021) was a Los Angeles-based ceramicist, sculptor, and arts educator of Mexican descent. He created his own glazes and a formula for castable refractory and invented mold-making techniques, which he passed on to the students he mentored at UCLA, Otis College of Art and Design, Cal State Northridge and Cal State Los Angeles. Bermudez's work reflects pre-Columbian iconography and symbolism. His works are included in numerous public collections, including the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Early life and education.
Luis Bermudez was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. His parents immigrated from Mexico to the United States of America. Bermudez made frequent visits to his family owned ranch called El Piño in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico during his youth which inspired pre-Columbian iconography shown in his work. Bermudez spent much of his time with the foreman's children and it was during this time he searched for a sense of belonging. Feeling as though he did not belong to just Los Angeles or Mexico but to both, Bermudez stated "It is from this sense of not belonging yet being connected to it all that I operate both as a human being and an artist."
Bermudez attended California State University, Northridge were he received his B.A. in 1976 and then his M.A in 1978. He received his M.F.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1980. Bermudez was a professor of ceramic art, sculpture, and visual arts at California State University, Los Angeles for 20 years.
Works.
Bermudez's work was inspired by nature and his travels to "sacred places" around the world such Iceland, French Polynesia, and Peru where people made offerings to deities. Bermudez's work reflects what he described as the "essence" of his personal experience at these locations and is reflected in his imagery of juxtaposing and chaotic geologic/landscape surface textures such as cenotes, glaciers, and marae.
Included in his work are "architectonic references of stairs that are usually too hard to climb". Bermudez used this representation as a direct reference to the pyramids in Teotihuacán, Mexico invoking thoughts of climbing or seeking. In his work, Bermudez also referenced windows, portals, or doorways in association with death and "the metaphorical expression" of reflection and the thought changing processes.
As a ceramicist, he worked within the context of the California Clay Movement. He exhibited alongside ceramic artists including Richard De Vore, Peter Shire, Dora De Larios, Paul Soldner, Ken Price, John Mason, and Peter Voulkos.
"Sobre La Vida".
"Sobre La Vida" which translates to "About Life" was a celebration and tribute to Luis Bermudez and his artwork. The exhibit featured artworks created between 1986 and 2014. Themes of the show included the interconnected nature of the place, identity, materiality, and the relation between the physical and the spiritual.
"Made in L.A. 2023: Acts of Living".
"Made in L.A. 2023: Acts of Living" was an art exhibition held by the Hammer Museum showcasing artists work from across Los Angeles. Bermudez's estate entered works "spanning over four decades." Bermudez utilizes pre-Columbian iconography such as "snakes, lightning bolts, and certain vessel types."
Recognition.
Bermudez was recognized for his cultural projects, notably the UCLA Ceramics Invitational of 1992, and worked with the Consultante General of Mexico to present NEPANTLA Dreams: Cal-Mex States L.A. (2004–2005).