RESOLUTION BY SF BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Resolution honoring the artistic contribution of Jose Ramon Lerma for his outstanding contribution to Bay Area abstract expressionism and his continuing work as a pioneer in the arts:

WHEREAS, Jose Lerma was born in the Salinas Valley in California; and

WHEREAS, Jose Lerma was one of the important artists to emerge form the San Francisco Art Institute in the 1950's; and

WHEREAS Jose Lerma studied under such noted instructors as Jean Varda, Hassel Smith, David Park, Nathan Oliviera and Edward Corbett; and

WHEREAS, Jose Lerma became a pioneer in painting, collage and experimental uses of found art objects in artistic compositions which influenced many artists; and

WHEREAS, Jose Lerma has had work exhibited in such prestigious galleries as the East-West Gallery, The Cellar, The Spatsa Gallery, SFMOMA, Intersection for the Arts, John Natsoulas Gallery, Encantada Gallery, Galeria de la Raza, the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art and the Los Angeles Municipal Gallery; and

WHEREAS, Jose Lerma has become an inspiration to a younger generation of artists, not only by example of the rich visual and structural vocabulary embodied by his works, but also by his direct involvement in the community and his mentoring of younger artists; and

WHEREAS, Jose Lerma served in the Korean War and used his experience to fuel his work and energize the anti-war movement of the 1960's; and

WHEREAS, Jose Lerma has succesfully integrated the influences of a wide variety of cultures and places in an original and dinamic style which is entirely his own; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Board of Supervisors recognizes the important achievements of Jose Ramon Lerma and his pionering contributions to the arts and cultural life of San Francisco, California and the United States on the occassion of his 74th birthday, April 13, 2004.

Supervisor Matt Gonzalez

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Source:  SFGOV.ORG  website