Artistic Advocacy
Miami artist's canvas support social change

-- Published Summer/ Fall 2003 in Latin Business Magazine

Trained as an attorney, Xavier Cortada discovered that, as an artist, he could be more effective as an advocate for social change. The Miami-based artist paints, writes, delivers keynote addresses, and collaborates with diverse groups across the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Africa to create pro-social community murals and participant-driven art projects. Mr. Cortada created “Stepping into the American Dream” in 2002 for the White House Conference on Minority Home Ownership, as well as a mural for the lobby of the World Bank’s Latin American office building in Washington, D.C. Recent commissions include a mural for the Florida state capitol building in Tallahassee, and a series of works that will be done in collaboration with employees of the 3M Corporation around the world.

Exploring themes of community development, racism, violence, poverty, political freedom, AIDS, and Cuba, Mr. Cortada’s work has appeared in museums, galleries, and cultural venues around the world. He has completed numerous works on behalf of corporate patrons, including Nike, HBO and Heineken. His solo exhibitions have been held at Miami’s Latin American Art Museum, the Florida Department of State - Division of Cultural Affairs Capitol Exhibit Complex in Tallahassee, the St. Thomas University Art Atrium Gallery, ArtCenter /South Florida, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cuzco, Peru, and the Museo Tambo Quirquincho in La Paz, Bolivia.

To fulfill Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s request for a mural commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month, Mr. Cortada chose to paint Ponce de Leon meeting indigenous people among mangrove trees; the intricate root systems build a stable land mass for other life to take hold. “Hispanics are like those mangrove seeds that wash up and take root on a Florida sandbar. Since Ponce de Leon discovered it in 1513, Hispanics have been making significant contributions to this state,” says Mr.Cortada. “Miami, one of America’s most important cities, is the perfect example of a community enhanced by the contribution of Hispanic immigrants.”

The Human Resources department at 3M Corporation of St. Paul, Minnesota, asked Mr. Cortada to collaborate with its 60,000 employees, who work out of sixty offices around the world, to create five murals about their relationship with their company. Cortada will travel to five regional offices across the globe to capture the voices of those who work for the innovation giant. Every person employed by 3M worldwide will have an opportunity to contribute. Products developed by 3M, ranging from Post-It notes to advanced adhesives will be incorporated into the work.  

Mr. Cortada is a pioneer in the use of the Internet in collaborative art. He has received awards such as the U.S. Department of State - USA Today Millennium International Volunteer Award for international volunteer work, and served as the Artistic Director for programs produced by Miami-Dade Art in Public Places. He also regularly contributes to community service and charitable organizations in South Florida. For more information, visit the artist's Web site at  www.cortada.com.