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Roli Mancera was born in Presa Blanca Celaya, Guanajuato, Mexico, in 1983, moving to Grand Rapids at the age of 15. The depth and breadth of his work spans cultures and genres, with equal importance placed on honoring his Hispanic roots and embracing the language and culture in which he now lives, works, worships and raises a family. "I'm fascinated by the culture and history of Mexico, and I want to share that with the Anglo community. You can't be a person without a past. It helps you go into the future," he says.
Starting as a child with crayon drawings and cartoons, Roli moved into acrylics on paper in 2004, soon progressing to oil on canvas, producing colorful, realistic works. Later, he began collecting scrap metal and materials from work and welding them to create modern industrial sculpture, creating pieces that are both functional and abstract, and making creative social statements. More recently, Roli has moved into painting large wall murals and public art.
Roli's work has been shown throughout West Michigan at both solo and collective ventures. Grand Rapids showings have included Saint Andrews Cathedral, Avenue for the Arts, Studio 71 South Gallery, Grandville Avenue Academy for the Arts, Cafe Aromas and Byrnebohem Gallery, as well as Kenville Studios in Ann Arbor.
His murals can be seen at Cinco de Mayo restaurants in Rockford and Grand Rapids, as well as Little Mexico in Grand Rapids. Other installations include a large metal wall sculpture of a bunch of grapes at Fenn Valley Winery in Fennville, and a Crucifix at St. Andrews Cathedral.
Roli is involved in ArtPrize and other community activities, including giving children's art workshops, most recently at last year's Tulipanes Latino Art & Film Festival in Holland.
Roli's work has been shown throughout West Michigan at both solo and collective.
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