From the quiet cobblestone streets of Pátzcuaro, where colonial architecture meets deep-rooted Purépecha culture, Artemio Rodríguez Cornejo is redefining the role of traditional printmaking in contemporary Mexican art. With his bold, hand-carved linocuts and woodblock prints, Artemio channels centuries of visual storytelling—melding technique, narrative, and resistance into one unforgettable medium: ink on paper.
His journey began modestly, working as a printer’s apprentice at Taller Martín Pescador, a famous letterpress shop based in his hometown of Tacámbaro. In his twenties, he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he enrolled in a printmaking class at Self Help Graphics, a community arts center in East Los Angeles. It was there that he developed a strong foundation in traditional relief printing, rooted in Mexican graphic traditions and the influence of artists like
José Guadalupe Posada and the Taller de Gráfica Popular. Yet Artemio’s work has never been merely derivative—it’s fiercely personal. His prints explore
themes of death, spirituality, justice, and everyday life, often using powerful black-and-white contrasts and detailed hand-carving techniques. Whether depicting skeletal musicians in procession or animals merged with saints and mythic figures, his style is immediately recognizable: rich in symbolism, bold in statement, and steeped in folklore.
In 2002, Artemio returned to Michoacán and established his own printmaking studio and press in Pátzcuaro, where he continues to create and collaborate. His studio—La Mano Press—has become a hub for emerging artists, writers, and cultural activists, bridging the local and
international art worlds through exhibitions, residencies, and publications.
His artwork has been exhibited widely in Mexico, the United States, and Europe, and appears in collections such as the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, and Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Alfredo Zalce in Morelia. He has also illustrated
numerous books, including collaborations with poets and scholars, and is known for bringing a political and poetic edge to every printed page.
Despite his international success, Artemio remains deeply connected to his roots. He is a passionate advocate for accessible art, regularly holding workshops for youth and community members in Pátzcuaro and surrounding towns. For him, printmaking is not just an artistic tool but a form of social communication—one that should be shared, taught, and used to challenge
silence and inequality. “El arte impreso es el arte del pueblo,” Artemio says.
(“Printed art is the people’s art.”)

Through linoleum and wood, blade and brayer, Artemio Rodríguez Cornejo continues a powerful tradition while carving out his own place in it. With every print pulled from the press, he leaves behind more than an image—he leaves behind a message, a movement, and a reminder that the ink of resistance and imagination never truly dries.

Feria Maestros del Arte 2024, 2025

ARTIST INFORMATION

WhatsApp 434-137-9556

artemio7272@yahoo.com

www.lamanografica.mx.com

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